TRADITIONAL leaders in Tsholotsho have written to President Robert Mugabe backing their under fire Member of Parliament Professor Jonathan Moyo who is facing allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
Chiefs from the area said Moyo, who is also higher education minister, was being persecuted by enemies in government for initiating numerous developmental projects in the constituency.
“We are not happy with the way our MP is being treated,” said the chiefs, writing in Ndebele to Mugabe.
“Tsholotsho has never experienced any development for the past 20 years. Now that Moyo is trying to bring some development, he (Moyo) is being targeted.”
The traditional leaders convened an urgent meeting at Tsholotsho Centre on Tuesday after allegations against Moyo emerged in the media and accused the government of marginalising the area.
Those who attended the meeting included Chief Gampu, Chief Siphoso, headman Mahlaba, Chief Tategulu and Chief Magama.
“Tsholotsho has been marginalised for a very long time. We have bad roads, we need irrigations and our schools do not have laboratories. What exactly did we do to deserve this marginalization?” stated the chiefs in the letter which was seen by NewZimbabwe.com
The chiefs also claimed that students in the area were being side-lined from STEM, a government initiated programme supporting students studying science and technology-related disciplines.
STEM is ironically being spearheaded by Moyo’s ministry.
The chiefs accused unnamed Zanu PF and government officials of being jealous of Moyo for initiating numerous projects in the constituency.
“It seems Moyo’s works in Tsholotsho are unsettling some politicians,” they claimed.
“During the by-election campaigns, both the two Vice presidents Phelekezela Mphoko and Emmerson Mnangagwa made several promises but those pledges have not been fulfilled.
“When Moyo tries to bring us development that now becomes an issue.”
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has accused Moyo of defrauding ZIMDEF – a department in his ministry.
Charges levelled against the Zanu PF politburo member include claims that he used ZIMDEF funds to acquire motorbikes and bicycles for the traditional leaders in his constituency.
“Instead of spending time attacking Moyo for donating bicycles to us, the government should urgently address challenges which the people are facing,” the chiefs added.-NewZimbabwe
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