Villagers in Tsholotsho have expressed fear over the possible suspension of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the area arguing that it would intensify their hunger woes.
This follows recent threats by Masvingo governor Titus Maluleke on Monday that he had suspended 29 NGOs for allegedly failing to register their operations with his office.
In an interview with NewsDay, Tsholotsho Senator Believe Gaule said NGOs should not be suspended as this could have disastrous effects on the people of Tsholotsho.
“Villagers are worried about the possible suspension of NGOs because these organisations are a lifeline for them. I can tell you for certain that these villagers will suffer if NGOs were to be banned,” he said.
“They provide these people with necessities ranging from foodstuffs to clothing and medical equipment. It would be disastrous if they were to be banned,” said Gaule.
The senator added that political parties should not donate to the people of Tsholotsho with the intention of buying votes.
“The problem with some political parties that come here to donate to these people is that they do this as a campaign strategy rather than a humanitarian effort. This ends up leading to them neglecting these people when they do not vote for their party,” he said.
Gaule challenged the villagers of Tsholotsho to be self-sufficient arguing they should not have a culture of dependency on external aid.
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“We should help each other where we can so that we produce high levels of crop and support each others’ businesses for them to expand,” he said.
“Farming is the key ingredient to the end of hunger in our district and we should not always depend on donors to come help us although their help is indeed vital to the people of Tsholotsho.”
Meanwhile, a Bulawayo-based civic society organisation, Bulawayo Agenda, has condemned Maluleke’s move, saying the move was political.
