SEKE MP Phineas Chihota, (Zanu PF) whose supporters have been at the mercy of demolitions by Manyame Rural District Council (MRDC) and youths from the party has come under fire for failure to protect them and instead playing hide and seek when they required his support.
STAFF REPORTER
Chihota stands accused of not having set foot in their constituency since the July 31 elections.
Villagers last week said they had tried to seek audience with Chihota for the whole week with no success. The villagers in Dema whose houses were demolished accused Chihota of neglecting them and abandoning promises he made in the run up to the elections.
Headman Michael Dzikiti said Chihota was nowhere to be seen in the hour of need for people affected.
“The MP is not forthcoming yet he is supposed to be assisting. We worked with him, but now we are in problems we wonder which problems he said he would help us with,” Dzikiti said.
Another villager Samson Mukaro said: “It means he (Chihota) was not being honest when he was seeking votes. We did everything here for him while he promised us that he would stand by us when the need arise.”
More than 10 houses have so far been demolished by MRDC saying their action was prompted by the directive from the Local Government ministry.
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Contacted for comment, Chihota said that it would not be fair to conclude that he had abandoned the people.
“Communicate with them at the level you understand. You know the issues and you have been dealing with them for years now. What do you want me to say on that one?,” Chihota queried.
Villagers last week invited Chihota to a meeting to discuss demolitions affecting them, but he failed to turn up arguing it was on short notice.
The meeting attracted villagers from Seke communal lands including Murisa, Chitsvatsva, Zin’anga, Mabika, Tugwete and other neighbouring villages in ward 1, 2 and 8.
Lawyer Marufu Mandevere of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights addressed villagers saying the process of demolitions was unconstitutional and warranted a court challenge.
