HARARE - Zanu PF says it cannot share goodies dished by President Robert Mugabe with non-party members, even those it wants to lure ahead of this year’s crunch general election.

The $20 million presidential farming input scheme launched recently in all of the 10 country’s provinces has been a bone for contention between Zanu PF officials and poor villagers being denied access because they hold no positions.

Officials at the forefront of the scheme such as Ernest Marodza, the Mukaradzi Zanu PF district chairperson, say there is nothing to be ashamed of in denying non-party members the inputs.

Marodza told a gathering in his district at the weekend that only the party’s loyal followers should benefit from such schemes. Mt Darwin South MP and Indigenisation minister Saviour Kasukuwere attended the meeting.

“No MDC must benefit from our party. What do you do when your wife leaves you because of your flaws? Should you help her when she comes back because she is desperate for assistance?” he quipped.

“These inputs are being financed by our leader, President Mugabe through what he gets from his connections,” he said.

Zanu PF spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo has previously made it clear that the scheme was designed by his party to ensure food security and cushion staunch supporters from hunger.

Marodza emphasised there were other programmes which are national in nature in which supporters of other parties can benefit from.

“National programmes should be open to everyone and not just Zanu PF. Currently we are working on a water purification scheme, which will benefit the entire community not just Zanu PF supporters,” he said.

Some political analysts have described Mugabe’s agricultural inputs scheme as a vote buying gimmick which is turning out to be his biggest setback in the drive to lure new voters.

The Daily News recently revealed that anger was simmering in many rural and resettled communities following unfair distribution of maize seed by Zanu PF grassroots leaders which saw only their blue-eyed boys benefiting.

Kasukuwere demanded transparency and accountability in the distribution of the inputs.

“Let me know if you fail to benefit from these programmes so that I can trace who would have taken your share,” he told the villagers.

“Whether it is a party or national programme, those in charge should be able to account for what they received.” - Wendy Muperi