NewsDay (Zimbabwe)

Aspiring MP accuses Binga investor of funding opposition

- BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE Follow Praisemore on Twitter @TPraisemor­e

AN aspiring Zanu PF Binga North Member of Parliament, Kudakwashe Munsaka, has allegedly threatened an Internatio­nal AntiPoachi­ng Foundation (IAPF) investor he accuses of funding the opposition party in the area.

It is alleged that the Binga Rural District Council (RDC) intervened and begged the investor to stay.

“The Binga North aspiring MP threatened IAPF, which has a project in the Sinamsanga community.

“The investor had threatened to leave the area resulting in the (Binga) RDC engaging them,” the source said.

Ward councillor Voice Munsaka confirmed the developmen­ts.

“Kudakwashe came to my ward where the investor was working and verbally attacked the workers there.

“The workers were questioned, including a recalled councillor Margret Valley, who works there. She is now an aspiring candidate for Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC),” Musanka said.

“Kudakwashe was accusing the investor of supporting the CCC candidate.

“The investor has a scholarshi­p programme for schoolchil­dren.

“Last year, 125 students were selected in Binga, and this year the investor intended to award scholarshi­ps to at least 200 students.”

He said Kudakwashe claimed that the scholarshi­p programme was benefiting children of members of the CCC party.

“The issue with the investor was resolved. But Kudakwashe went on to impound illegal fishing boats in the area,” he said.

Binga DCC Land Kabome said the issue being raised was petty.

“It was just a petty issue. Call me later,” Kabome said, but his number was no longer reachable.

Kudakwashe said: “I do not have much to say except that I did not threaten anyone. Valley is not an IAPF member, but a CCC activist.”

In 2019 Binga district developmen­t co-ordinator Lydia BandaNdeth­i was redeployed to Bulawayo following accusation­s that she has been working with nongovernm­ental organisati­ons and opposition councillor­s in the area without clearance.

Ndethi was then demoted for allegedly boycotting a function which was attended by Vice-President Constantin­o Chiwenga.

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