IGNATIUS Chombo, Zim-Bob-We's Local Government, Public Works and National Housing minister yesterday told rural district councils in the country to âdeal ruthlesslyâ with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) he accused of working against the ruling Zanu PF party. Addressing the fourth biennial congress of the Association of Rural District Councils of Zimbabwe in Masvingo yesterday, Chombo said he was highly critical of some of the NGOs which he said abandoned their business to engage in politics. Chombo did not name the NGOs nor divulge how the councillors were supposed to ruthlessly deal with them.
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âI am highly critical of some of these NGOs which come with their aid with conditions attached. It is better not to give people maize than to give us maize with labels telling telling us who to vote for,â Chombo said. âThese NGOs come and confuse our ZANU PF councillors. Please deal with them ruthlessly and then tell us how you will have dealt with them.â
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Chombo also criticised the councillors for not ensuring that money provided by the government for drought relief programmes reached the intended beneficiaries on time. He said: âSome money released in January this year is still stashed in rural district accounts. Why do you keep the money while people are starving?â |