GOVERNMENT officials tasked to distribute food aid to victims of the Tokwe-Mukorsi floods at Chingwizi transit camp in Masvingo have been accused of demanding sexual favours from teenage girls in exchange for goods. WINSTONE ANTONIO OWN CORRESPONDENT
Civil society groups and sources at the transit camp, which houses an estimated 3 000 families, said several young women and teenage girls had fallen for the trap to supplement their families’ food rations.
Parents who spoke to NewsDay on condition of anonymity accused government officials stationed at the camp of promoting the vice.
“Some officials are demanding sex from women and children in exchange for food and other basics,” a parent said.
“We are really concerned and we appeal for intervention by relevant authorities.”
A government official at the site said he was aware of several colleagues involved in food-for-sex scandals and urged the Public Service Commission to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.
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“They are taking advantage of desperate women and girls to solicit for sex in exchange for food, blankets, tents and other necessities. Women end up giving in to their demands to save their families from starving,” he said.
“Prostitution has suddenly risen here as some officials distributing food and other materials at the camp are abusing our wives and teenagers by demanding that they sleep with them and give them the commodities they distribute, particularly food.”
Justice For Children Trust challenged relevant authorities to investigate the allegations.
Justice For Children Trust programmes director Caleb Mutandwa said: “Such allegations of child abuse are serious and must be investigated and perpetrators brought to book if found guilty.”
Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti last week said the situation at the camp required urgent attention as well as continued co-operation between government and the private sector in alleviating the food shortages.
Government has said it requires about 156 000 tonnes of maize meal a month to feed the displaced families.