Overall Analysis
The reintroduction of subsidised garrison shops in an environment where the majority of citizens are
finding it difficult to fend for themselves and their families is disturbing. The preferential treatment of
the army indicates that some animals are more equal than others. Such decisions breed bitterness,
anger and divisions in an already polarised society. With the human rights abuses that citizens have
gone through at the hands of the army hardly dealt with, this is adding insult to injury as the
perpetrator is rewarded and well taken care of while citizens have to absorb all shocks of the poorly
performing economy. Garrison shops could be acceptable in an economy where the general citizenry
is living comfortably and do not struggle to make ends meet. Although the 2.5% GEMS deduction has
been said to be optional, it cripples civil servants who are already hard pressed by the socio-economic
situation in the country. This move by the Finance Ministry comes at a time when the health delivery
system in the country is still in shambles and reason dictates that priority would be on the resuscitation
of such a crucial service especially in the face of the risk of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The issue of
misplaced priorities is something that the government needs to look into. In 2019, Minister of Finance,
Mthuli Ncube was on record proposing the launch of a space satellite when the economy was in a dire
state; with at least 7.7 million people facing starvation2. If Zimbabwe is to achieve national cohesion,
such divisive decisions should be avoided.
The food shortages which have largely been attributed to the ongoing drought and economic
hardships continue to make citizens dependant
on food aid. It is unfortunate that this aid is
manipulated despite access to food being a right
that is provided for in Section 77 of the
On 18 February a case of assault was
Constitution: in addition to equality and nonreported in Chikomba East at Sengwe Township
in Ward 27 where Zanu PF Coordinator Adonis
discrimination in Section
56 of the same
Mandizha was assaulted by an MDC activist
Constitution. In the month of February ZPP
Shepard Manyame. A scuffle between the two
documented 38 food and other aid discrimination
ensued when villagers were waiting to receive
violations where some citizens were denied aid
food aid which had been mobilized by their
Legislator, Honourable Sekai Nzenza. Just
because of their political or perceived political
before the distribution Mandizha began to force
affiliation.
Cases
of
traditional
leaders
villagers to chant Zanu PF slogans and this did
participating in partisan and nepotistic food aid
not go down well with Manyame resulting in a
distribution processes continued to occur despite
tussle between the two. Mandizha suffered a
broken nose, bled profusely and was rushed to
a directive from the Ministry of Public Services,
Pokoteke clinic for medical assistance.
Labour and Social Welfare for them to refrain
from aid distribution.3 In some recorded cases
beneficiaries were forced to chant Zanu PF slogans; which is against the principles of food aid
distribution. It is however important to note that in some cases villagers resisted such intimidation
tactics.
2
https://www.wfp.org/countries/zimbabwe
3
https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/11/stop-politicising-food-aid-minister/
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