ZANU PF youth from Bulawayo have complained over the “turning of COVID-19 relief funds into loans” with stringent conditions to access the funding.

The government recently set up a $17 million COVID-19 relief fund for youths to cushion those affected by the coronavirus lockdown.

Bulawayo’s Mqamulazwe district youth league vice-chairman Ryan Mpofu said the conditions set for one to access the relief funds proved that it was a loan.

Mpofu added: “The relief fund is for youths and is non-partisan.

Mqamulazwe district youth league secretary for administration Lesly Mafu added: “This relief fund is for every young person who is failing to make ends meet during the COVID-19 period.