Marapira implicated in missing 646 Presidential Sc...

Marapira implicated in missing 646 Presidential Scheme knapsacks

Zim Now Writer

Masvingo North MP, Davis Marapira has been implicated in a case of missing 646 Presidential Scheme knapsacks that were meant to be distributed to villagers.

Sources close to the goings-on said Marapira collected the knapsacks valued at US$13 566 from Masvingo GMB last week on Monday but suspicions are now rife that he might have stashed them away in order to use them for his 2023 election campaign.

“Yes, I can confirm that I collected the knapsacks at GMB for distribution, but I handed them to one of my councillors and he is safely keeping them. Everyone who is supposed to get a knapsack is going to get it, said Marapira, adding that all these accusations are emanating from his political rivals.

“What I know all these assertions are political. I don’t know why people are fighting me because I am not going to stand in Masvingo North. As you know, I am now in Zaka,” said Marapira.

The legislator said that after collecting the knapsacks he gave them to Stephen Munyenyiwa, who is councillor for Ward 32, but curiously, Munyenyiwa said he never received the knapsacks, saying instead that the knapsacks are at Marapira’s farm just outside Masvingo along Masvingo-Mbalabala highway.

“The knapsacks are currently at MP Marapira’s farm. We could not distribute them because the Central Committee is in the constituency doing cell verification,” said Munyenyiwa.

When it was put to him that the knapsacks were said to be at his farm, Marapira then said he would need to check.

Sources said that Marapira is determined to block Pascal Mudzikisi and Albert Mangena, the other candidates who are seeking the Zanu PF ticket in Masvingo North.

Other sources said Marapira had given the knapsacks to Brian Mudhumi, who is believed to be his favourites for the Zanu PF primary elections, since Marapira himself is switching constituencies to go to Zaka.

GMB spokesperson, Joe Katete referred all the questions to Provincial Arex officer.

The knapsacks are part of the Presidential Agriculture Input Scheme to support farmers, but provincial Agricultural Research Extension officer, Nobert Masiiwa could not disclose the number of knapsacks the country received through the Presidential Scheme and how many each province got by the time of writing.

Under the Presidential Scheme, the procedure of distribution of goods is that all councillors and AREX employees are supposed to be part of the distribution team.

This comes barely nine months after Marapira’s co-deputy Agriculture Minister, Douglas Karoro was fired for allegedly stealing over 700 tonnes of fertilizer and maize seed distributed under a State-sponsored programme.

The case is still before the courts.