Opposition Pumula Constituency legislator Sichelesile Mahlangu has handed out rice to hundreds of families in Pumula Old and St Peter’s, even as questions linger over her recent parliamentary vote that angered many residents.
Mahlangu has faced sharp public criticism after she joined Zanu PF legislators in passing the Constitutional Amendment Bill 3 in Parliament, with only Bulawayo North MP Minenhle Gumede voting against the bill.
Despite the political backlash, Mahlangu turned the Sunday food distributing exercise into a community engagement meeting. The food relief is funded under the Presidential food scheme.
The food distribution programme continued on Monday, with beneficiaries set to receive rice at Robert Sinyoka before the outreach team moved to Pumula South Hall later in the day.
Mahlangu said road rehabilitation and healthcare access in peri-urban areas were also her top priorities.
“I have engaged the ministry over our deteriorating roads, especially in peri-urban areas. Commuters and businesses are struggling,” she said. Mahlangu also raised concerns over emergency healthcare, saying ambulance delays are putting lives at risk.
“Health is another crisis. Ambulances take too long to arrive in peri-urban areas during the day and at night,” the MP said.
However, not everyone was aware of the Presidential food scheme initiative.
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Bulawayo United Residents Association chairman Winos Dube said he was learning of the programme for the first time.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association chairman Stephen Nkomo urged the MP to focus on broader development, not just food handouts. The relief initiative forms part of ongoing community support efforts aimed at easing the burden on vulnerable families facing economic hardships.
