Party chairman and commissar arrested for stealing...

Party chairman and commissar arrested for stealing drought relief maize

Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Prosper Chiwenga and Philimon Mudhombo, both high-ranking officials in a political party, have been charged with theft for diverting maize meant for the Presidential Drought Relief Program.

The two men from Nyabira appeared before the Norton Magistrates' Court on Friday to face charges of theft, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds.arising from manipulating the distribution of the maize for personal gain.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Chiwenga, the party's Chairman, and Mudhombo, the Political Commissar, used their influence to divert 400 kilograms of maize, valued at US$432, meant for drought-stricken communities.

The maize was part of the government's relief program aimed at assisting families affected by the severe drought.

The court heard that the accused persons converted the maize to personal use, prejudicing the intended beneficiaries. However, all of the diverted maize was recovered by the authorities.

Chiwenga and Mudhombo were remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear in court on Saturday for a bail hearing.

In April, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that Zimbabwe required US$2 billion in aid to alleviate widespread hunger affecting millions of citizens.

"It is unacceptable for any Zimbabwean to perish from hunger," Mnangagwa stressed during a press conference, declaring a nationwide State of Disaster due to the devastating El Nino-induced drought.

He revealed that over 2.7 million people, approximately one-sixth of the population, faced food insecurity this year due to dismal harvests.

Mnangagwa urged UN agencies, local businesses, and religious organisations to contribute to humanitarian efforts and provide crucial assistance.