After several years of suffering in silence, Nkayi community who are relatives of Zimbabwe’s Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko have resolved to take him head on.
The kinsmen who opened up to ZimEye.com on Monday, said that they have since alerted the two Chiefs, Dakamela and Sikobokobo on their intention to deliver their outburst to the vice president, who they say is responsible for their predicament.
“We have since written a petition to blood relative Phelekezela, who is showing no interest in our lives. He has been traveling to this area in a chopper, while we are involved in fatal accidents due to the road which has become a death trap.
“How can he neglect us when he was born and bred here in Nkayi. Mabhena was fired from the government because he challenged the state on the road condition, and now Mphoko wants to do the same,” complained Zwelibanzi Mkwananzi.
Another relative who identified herself as Idah Mphoko of Dakamela village told ZimEye.com that their brother, Mphoko is doing little to deliver them from poverty and under development that is stalking the Bubi district.
“We were expecting swift development from Phelekezela, who is well versed with problems facing his district of birth and yet he ignores,” said Idah.
Another villager Saliwe Nkomo, of Nkayi, who told ZimEye.com that Phelekezela was his cousin, said that Mphoko must take advantage of his position to deliver his relatives from the bondage of poverty.
“We celebrated after his appointment last year, but we celebrate for a negligent relative. Mzenda developed his home area of Gutu, and constructed roads to his homeland for his relatives, while our cousin Phelekezela is doing the opposite,” she said bitterly.
Asked to comment on the situation, Chief Sikobokobo downplayed the plight of the community, and blamed it on DDF, who he said was delaying the roads services.
“This is all DDF’s problem, because they are not doing their job. I will meet the management of the local government to discuss the road issue and map the way forward,” he said.
Chief Dakamela, opted to play the ball close to her chest and said, “I think it’s in the government’s plan to deliver Nkayi from all their predicaments, so let’s be patient for a while and see what happens.