Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Masvingo North MP, David Marapira (ZANU PF), has declared himself Zimbabwe’s de facto Vice President following the resignation of Kembo Mohadi on 1 March this year.
Marapira is officially the Minister of State in the Office of the President and Cabinet in charge of Monitoring the Implementation of Special Agricultural and related programmes that include Command Agriculture and Irrigation Development.
He once worked as Minister of State in Mohadi’s office. Addressing farmers at Mara Ranch located in his constituency on Friday, Marapira said:
I am now sitting on the chair that the former vice president Mohadi used to sit on. What I say now while on that chair is what is supposed to be done.
Marapira also promised the farmers two combine harvesters and three centre pivot irrigation systems which he said would be delivered before the end of the year.
However, the farming community members said they were still facing a lot of challenges which the government has failed to solve over two decades.
An aggrieved farmer who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com said they have to walk 30 kilometres to the nearest clinic. The farmer was quoted as saying:
We still don’t have a school or a clinic in this area, 20 years after we were allocated these plots.
Our children walk 15km to the nearest school which is at Bikita minerals and walk over 30 km to the nearest health facility which is in Zaka.
We have highlighted our plight to him over the years, but nothing is taking place on the ground.
