MDC-T Tsholotsho North MP Roseline Nkomo has expressed anger at repeated snubbing by government officials when visiting her constituency to mitigate on flooding and poaching problems.
SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER
When reports of a mass poisoning of elephants emerged last year in Tsholotsho, six ministers led by Environment, Climate and Water minister Saviour Kasukuwere went on a tour of the area, which falls under Nkomo’s constituency, without inviting or advising her.
Yesterday, a delegation of five ministers again descended on the area to assess the destruction caused by the aftermath of the floods. Nkomo said she was neither informed nor advised about the visit to her constituency. The delegation toured Sipepa area, Nkomo’s village, to assess damage caused by floods.
“I just heard rumours that the ministers would be in my constituency, but I was never informed,” Nkomo said.
“I have been making a lot of noise about the neglect of Tsholotsho flood victims through the media and I know they are responding to my calls, but it is sad that when they come to the constituency, they do not inform me as the MP and it is unfair.”
Nkomo said by right, she was supposed to be in the Civil Protection Unit, but government officials in the district do not inform her of anything concerning programmes to assist flood victims. “I complained a lot that the government concentrated on assisting Masvingo floods victims while Tsholotsho was being neglected,” she said.
“Now that they are responding to that, it was proper for them to tell me so that I could be part of the process as an MP who stays in the area and interacts with the victims mostly. They can get more information about the victims from me.”
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However, Nkomo applauded the government’s move to visit the area though she complained about being left out.
“They must respect me as an MP. I won that seat; or are they undermining my position because I am a woman? During the massive elephant killings they did the same, but in areas where their (Zanu PF) MPs are, they do these things with the MPs,” she charged.
