M iti g ato r y Fac tor s
Food and grain reserves (rural areas, manipulation)
The past harvest season and food reserves have reduced the
level of vulnerability of communities in particular rural and
farming communities. The exact quantities harvested are
not clear as estimates range and vary depending on source.
Heading towards an election without food shortages helps
mitigate effects of abuse of government food aid facilities
in rural areas. Government has consistently disputed this
practice though local groups and constitutional commission,
the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has raised
concerns in respect of partisan food distribution in and
around elections or any other periods.46 While food (maize)
might be readily available in most communities, the cost
for other daily needs remain and worsened by difficulties in
accessing cash.
Consideration of maintaining some lines open
with international community
After the 2013 election, Zanu PF embarked on a charm
offensive to regain confidence of the international
community. Efforts were led by the Ministry of Finance
and Economic Development to engage the international
financial institutions (IFIs) through agreement on debt
clearance strategy. These efforts culminated in the Lima
Agreement to settle the government debt estimated then at
over $2 billion. The clearance of the debt could help restore
confidence in the international community but this should
be supported by other reforms including the constitutional
and law alignment, unfortunately the reforms have been
lagging behind. The re-engagement efforts have also been
ridiculed by some ruling party members evidencing the
factional tensions including the reversal of decisions by the
Finance Minister on reducing the wage bill and payment
of bonus by President Mugabe.47 A balancing approach is
being maintained, with Mugabe acts of appeasement of
local constituencies and external actors at the expense of
broader economic and political reforms needed.
craze”, young church founders “emerged on the scene,
preaching the gospel of prosperity and having miracles
of varying levels of sophistication attributed to them”
with connections to “spiritual fathers from West Africa”.
Reception of these individuals have been mixed, celebrated
and dismissed as after profits and “gospelprenuers”.48 Some of
the more prominent preachers/prophets have been embroiled
in different scandals including land, accusations of abuse
of women followers, financial abuse and involvement in
factional fights through prophecies or declarations. Senior
government officials religiously attend these gatherings.
The traditional churches through the social arms continue
to provide shelter and disciplined messages on ending
violence, and peaceful co-existence, though less visible.
Apostolic sects are deeply embedded in Zanu PF fights with
again prophecies sought by aspiring leaders as testament of
being God ordained to lead Zimbabwe.49 Zimbabweans of
all walks of life have taken to religion as a refuge for their
social, political and economic challenges.
Civil society
For years civil society (organized and increasingly informal)
have held the line, providing responses, safety nets,
humanitarian and legal support to victims of violence,
mitigating potential violent scenarios in communities. These
groups capacity are constrained due to internal attrition and
funding limitations. Through innovation and volunteerism
work has continued in different parts of the country.
Linkages with communities and citizens will enhance
the work of civil society in mitigating against violence or
provision of safety nets as needed. With elections in 2018,
history has shown that, civil society will also be targeted,
with possible media onslaught, de-legitimization, arrests
and prosecution undermining their proactive or responsive
roles. Considerate of these issues, civil society remains a
critical enabler for peaceful co-existence.
Religion
The rise of Pentecostalism or “prosperity gospel” has provided
a window for escapism from daily survival challenges. As
observed by scholars Zimbabwe has been under a “prophetic
Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission: Report on Food Aid Cases http://veritaszim.net/node/2046 (last accessed 29 August 2017)
47
See for instance The Herald, President Orders Reinstatement of 2000 youths,
http://www.herald.co.zw/president-orders-reinstatement-of-2-000-youths/ (last
accessed 29 August 2017)
46
See Prophets, Profits and the Bible in Zimbabwe Festschrift for Aynos Masotcha
Moyo
edited by Ezra Chitando, Masiiwa Ragies Gunda & Joachim Kügle (2013) available
https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-bamberg/files/5599/BIAS12Prophetsopusse1A2.pdf
(last accessed 29 August 2017)
49
https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2017/05/11/prophet-predicts-new-zimleader
48