Partisan Politics Worsens Hunger Crisis
...as opposition supporters are denied access to government
sponsored but party controlled food aid
The partisan distribution of food aid continues to exacerbate the hunger crisis in
Zimbabwe, with victims facing discrimination based on their political affiliation. Five
incidents of partisan distribution of food aid were documented in August. In most
incidents, victims were denied food aid by either traditional leaders or ruling party
activists who clung to political discrimination of either known or suspected
members of the opposition political parties. At a community food aid distribution
gathering in Buhera Central, ZANU PF Chairperson Simon Maunganidze and youth
Chairperson Isheunopa Kashaya denied about 35 people, including 20 women food
aid on the grounds of their political affiliation, distributing aid to known ZANU PF
members only. Maunganidze was quoted saying, “opposition supporters should go
and benefit from their leaders.” This contravenes government policy and legal
frameworks ensuring fair distribution for all needy individuals.
Food aid has also been largely politicised, compelling victims to attend and
participate in ruling party activities in anticipation of benefiting from the
government-sponsored, but party-controlled food aid. In Chivi central, ward 16
councilor Munashe Pwanyai instructed all beneficiaries who received food aid in May
to buy ZANU-PF membership cards, for US$3 per card. In related incidents, ruling
party officials and community leaders have also been recorded redirecting food aid
for personal gain. For instance, in Mutasa Central, ZANU PF executive members
Keresencia Benza, John Gumi, Kizito Benza, Nevide Benza, and an activist identified
as Mai (Mrs) Dziruni reportedly took away 20 bags of wheat and shared 4 bags
each, disadvantaging over a dozen households beneficiaries. From January to
August 2024, the Zimbabwe Peace Project has recorded and documented around
115 incidents of partisan distribution across the country in which over 1700
household victims were affected, necessitating a serious investigation into how
political discrimination is worsening the food insecurity situation following the El
Nino induced drought affecting the region.
ZPP recommends that the responsible ministries and government departments
increase their efforts to investigate and prosecute all perpetrators while forming
strong monitoring mechanisms aimed at protecting the rights of the victims.