By Zivanai Dhewa
People on social media platforms have rubbished and dismissed as unfounded assertions mushrooming from some political quarters that ZANU PF is seeking political mileage by offering its branded 4X4 vehicles to help distribute food aid to victims of Cyclone Idai.
One netizen identified as Baba Ka Thando, tried to draw negative attention on ZANU PF activities by asking on his twitter page that, “Why is ZANU PF coordinating the distribution of donations? This ZANU PF government failed these people now they want to claim glory through hijacking donations. “
Another netizen only identified as Gundwe@gundwenation, gave him a backlash by indicating that Zimbabwe was under a natural disaster that affected people regardless of political affiliation and that ZANU PF was playing its part as an organisation to assist everyone affected regardless of political affiliation and that everyone organisation was free to do so.
“ZANU PF people are using ZANU PF cars, to ferry food and clothes to other areas affected by Cyclone Idai. MDC people should also use their own vehicles to do the same in rural areas. Members of the House of Assembly and all other ZANU PF structures during drought do that, I even participated during times of need,” Gundwe said.
Political analyst, Jones Musara pointed out that some ZANU PF youths are volunteering to assist the army and other well-wishers to move the rocks in search of missing people and dead bodies, clad in their regalia but no one is commenting on that.
“ZANU PF regalia clad helpers are busy helping Cyclone Idai victims. The usual culprits who failed to deploy helpers are busy mistaking helping for stealing,” said Musara.
Kudzai Mutisi, a political analyst and active netizen added saying that “those cry-babies complaining about ZANU PF t-shirts, take a look at this pic (ZANU PF volunteers in party t-shirts searching for dead bodies) do you see food there? It’s ZANU PF cadres who are on the ground coordinating the rescue, relief and recovery efforts, while you whine on twitter. Stop harassing people who are helping,” urged Mutisi.
Musara argued saying, “ZANU PF at party level is assisting Cyclone Idai victims with not only material donations but also human resources. Vaye vaye who claim to be the best alternative only deployed their leaders for selfies and then left. They are no better alternatives.”
Meanwhile, ZANU PF is continuing to offer its humanitarian assistance as it is not perturbed by the negative comments that are coming from detractors bent on politicising efforts by ZANU PF to assist victims of Cyclone Idai. There are so many organisations on the ground assisting the Cyclone victims and they carry their organisation logos on their cars and clothing. Political analysts said this must also apply to ZANU PF.
