Food aid needs close monitoring

AS A former Zimbabwean, I would like to point out to Trocaire that noble as their motives are in raising funds to get food to starving Zimbabweans, the intended recipients will never receive the food unless the operation is dealt with shrewdly.

In previous years, a friend of mine, a transporter, told me how he had delivered tons of donated maize to rural centres to be distributed. But on arrival at the destinations, ZANU PF members appropriated the grain, took it into government lorries, and drove to Zambia, where the government there paid them for the food.

Unless measures are undertaken to ensure that the food is handed directly to the people who need it, all efforts will have been in vain. In fact, even if they do receive it, I wouldn't put it past the ZANU PF to raid individuals later, without fear of reprisals. We are talking about a country where governmental corruption has broken all records. It matters not one iota to President Mugabe if half the population die, as long as he has power.