HARARE – The ruining party Zanu PF is already on the offensive drive in its preparation for the 2023 elections with an attempt to woo the support of Binga people.
Zanu PF-aligned Affirmative Action Group (AAG) has dangled a US$120 000 fund towards setting up an irrigation scheme and 10 fishing rigs to economically empower villagers in Binga and Victoria Falls.
The strategy according to insiders is to win the support of the often marginalized people of Binga ahead of the crucial 2023 elections.
Zanu PF is currently in a panic mode and doing all it takes to win support from various sectors. Affirmative Action Group spokesperson Ari Goldstein confirmed the plans to empower the Binga community in an interview.
“AAG wants to empower the remote areas and Binga is one of them. We will distribute the 10 rigs in phases in the coming weeks,” Goldstein said.
He said the beneficiaries would include women and youth, who will grow vegetables to sell in Matabeleland North province.
“We will clear 10 hectares of land that has already been identified. Currently all greens in Matabeleland North come from Bulawayo,” he said.
Goldstein revealed that villagers will be taught how to value add in areas of fishing and tourism.
Binga has been lagging behind in terms of development despite its vast potential, and recently the government set up a 15 000-hectare irrigation scheme at the Bulawayo Kraal which is aimed at transforming the district.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) has also entered into a joint venture with a local private company to put the 15 000 hectares of land under food and export crops as well as crocodile farming.
AAG is composed of personalities from Zanu PF such as Philip Chiyangwa, Mike Chimombe, Panganai Java (better known as Passion Java) among others. They have been accused of shoddy dealings and using the ruling party to swindle others of cash through Ponzi schemes.
