Source: US$425k empowerment windfall for 17 constituencies – herald
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere has defended the proposed constitutional amendment to extend President Mnangagwa’s term of office to 2030 – dismissing concerns of illegitimacy – saying the people who made the supreme law can change it.
Minister Muswere made the remarks in Rusape, on Tuesday, during the disbursement of the Presidential Constituency Empowerment Fund to five constituencies in Makoni – Makoni West, Makoni Central, Headlands, Makoni North, and Makoni South.
The fund, totalling US$425 000, was distributed by Presidential Special Advisor on Investment, Dr Paul Tungwarara, on behalf of President Mnangagwa, as part of efforts to drive tangible development across 17 constituencies in Manicaland.
Each of the 17 constituencies received US$25 000, meant for grassroots empowerment projects, including Chipinge East, Chipinge Central, Chipinge South, Mutema-Musikavanhu, Buhera East, Buhera West, Buhera Central, Buhera North, Chimanimani West, Chimanimani East, Mutasa North, Mutasa Central, and Mutasa South.
The extension of President Mnangagwa’s tenure and the amendment of the Constitution to implement Resolution Number One were among the resolutions made during the ZANU PF 22nd National People’s Conference held in Mutare in October, aimed at ensuring the continuity of the country’s developmental trajectory and economic stability.
Minister Muswere said the disbursement of the funds was part of broader empowerment initiatives being spearheaded by the President, including the construction of dams, development of irrigation schemes, and rehabilitation of roads.
He said it was against that background that the ZANU PF leadership and the people of Zimbabwe were agreeable on the proposed constitutional amendment, making it a legitimate process, and there was nothing illegitimate about it.
Minister Muswere said within a short space of time, the President has spearheaded the construction of Muchekeranwa Dam (Headlands) and Marowanyati Dam (Buhera), coupled with irrigation schemes such as Romsley, Chiduku-Tikwiri, Cashel Valley and Musikavanhu, to improve food security in drier regions, and the rehabilitation of roads to improve mobility and connectivity, among other empowerment initiatives aimed at uplifting the lives of ordinary citizens.
“The President is committed to driving development and improving the lives of ordinary citizens. We have been brought here by the leadership of President Mnangagwa, focusing on empowerment. Issues raised here by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution are about empowerment and the good work that is being done by the President. The irrigation schemes that have been established here are numerous, and the same applies to the dams that have been constructed. We have Muchekeranwa and Marowanyati dams, Romsley, Chiduku-Tikwiri irrigation schemes, as well as those in different places like Chipinge and Mutasa. These are some of the good works that have prompted the ZANU PF leadership and all of you to say President Mnangagwa should remain in office beyond his current term of office. Let me emphasise that there is nothing unconstitutional about amending the Constitution. The Constitution was made by the people, and can also be amended by the people. This is why the people of Zimbabwe, including those of you here in Makoni, have spoken to say President Mnangagwa should remain in office, leading this country.
“The other thing that has brought us here is the leadership of President Mnangagwa, through his representative, Dr Tungwarara, to ensure that the people of Makoni are empowered.
“We also have the issue of fertiliser and inputs that has been raised here – the President is working tirelessly to ensure that everyone receives their allocated farming inputs. The President is also working to revamp the poor service delivery affecting Makoni Central constituency. The challenges of water reticulation and burst sewer pipes will be a thing of the past.
“The leadership is already aware, President Mnangagwa will address these challenges once and for all. I want to thank the people of Makoni for turning out in huge numbers to support the empowerment initiatives by President Mnangagwa. The empowerment initiatives are aligned with Vision 2030 to ensure everyone’s life is transformed,” said Minister Muswere.
Dr Tungwarara welcomed four councillors who crossed the floor from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), and former Makoni South legislator, Mr Pishai Muchauraya, who joined ZANU PF, and gave each a Christmas present of US$200.
He also hailed the State media for its role in resolutely defending the President and the nation from its detractors.
Dr Tungwarara emphasised that the empowerment initiative should serve as a unifying force, rather than a divisive factor in Manicaland.
“United we stand, but divided we fall. If we remain united, this province will be transformed. Are you not happy that the President has brought empowerment? This is unprecedented.
“The funds are from President Mnangagwa, who is a visionary and caring leader. We did not come with the funds to cause confusion, war or create factions in Manicaland. These funds are meant to support your work as MPs, DCCs or ministers,” he said, urging recipients to utilise the funds for their intended purpose.
“Empowerment is for the villages, the unsung heroes in the villages; these are the people who must benefit. Do not misuse or abuse this empowerment fund – it is for the grassroots who have been remembered by the President. Some received empowerment, but it was abused by those in charge; it never reached the intended people.
“We will not allow the President’s name to be abused by an individual. We cannot gather all these people so that you receive funds only for you to abuse them. Empowerment funds are usually intercepted at the top. You have been empowered by the President to make an impact and spread his good works. The funds are not meant to be abused because the consequences are dire,” he said.
Dr Tungwarara said previous empowerment initiatives were abused by the leadership, depriving the grassroots of critical Presidential support. He gave an ultimatum for those who abused the Vendors4ED funds to return the money, adding that a committee is now auditing the funds to verify the existence of the funds or projects.
“Those who received, but failed to account for the funds will be dealt with decisively. We do not want the grassroots to fail to vote for the President due to frustration over funds squandered by those at the top. The funds you are being given are meant to support you in your position, but if you fail to utilise them purposefully, it will backfire because the people will be fed up with you.
“Going forward, in 2026, the focus will be on empowering villages, boosting businesses and projects to grow steadily and turn them into revolving funds. A committee will discuss disbursement, and a taskforce will audit projects and funds,” he said, expressing interest in investing in a hotel and lodges at Osborne Dam, and promising to resume work immediately to create employment and save young people from drug and substance abuse.
Dr Tungwarara also commended the ZANU PF Provincial Youth League for transparently using their empowerment funds to acquire two buses, which prompted him to add two more buses.
These additional buses will be hired out to generate income and support the league.
ZANU PF provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza said if Manicaland was not united, it would have missed out on the empowerment opportunity.
“I am advising unity in the province, supporting the President, and Vision 2030 so that empowerment can be actualised. I want to warn those from other provinces against sowing seeds of disunity. We support President Mnangagwa as a province, and there is no vacancy – be content with where you are. We rally behind President Mnangagwa only,” said Cde Mukodza.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza thanked President Mnangagwa for various empowerment initiatives in the province, among them the Forbes Border Post expansion, construction of the Christmas Pass Bypass Road, and the international airport, Huana Fruit Processing Plant, piped water schemes, clinics, schools, construction of 56,000mt smart silos in Mutare and Headlands, irrigation schemes and rehabilitation and upgrading of Binya roads.
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