PROVINCIAL OUTLOOK
November MMR
Manicaland
In Manicaland Province, 34 human rights violations were documented and they were largely related to the
maladministration of food aid and agricultural inputs. In Chipinge Central, ZANU PF activists looted fertilizer
intended for distribution in ward 6, selling it to their supporters for $1 US per 50 kg bag. In Buhera West, ZANU PF
activists denied a victim farming inputs for unspecified reasons while in Chikanga-Dangamvura, people were
forced to attend a ruling party meeting to register for food aid, with many attending against their will. Despite the
inadequacies of the aid in some instances and the frustrations of forced participation in political activities,
partisan distribution of aid has restricted the freedoms of expression, association, and assembly, as people are
forced to attend ruling party meetings and support the party to receive aid. The actions of ZANU PF activists have
created a culture of fear and intimidation, with many people afraid to speak out against the partisan distribution
of aid. In Kagweda village Mutasa District in Manicalanad, ZANU PF ward 14 Youth Chairperson Zvinaiye Maunga
threatened to unleash violence on anyone opposing the call for President Mnangagwa to extend his rule beyond
2028, call he has dismissed himself as unconstitutional.
Concluding Note
The threats of violence and partisan distribution of food aid in Zimbabwe are deeply concerning and warrant
immediate attention from relevant authorities.
To address these concerns, the following steps are recommended:
1. Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC): The ZHRC should conduct thorough investigations into the reports
of violence and partisan distribution of food aid. The Commission should also provide recommendations to the
government to address these concerns and ensure accountability.
2. Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP): The ZRP should take concrete steps to prevent and investigate incidents of
violence, particularly those related to the ED 2030 campaign. The police must also ensure that perpetrators are
held accountable and that victims receive adequate protection.
3. Department of Social Welfare: The Department of Social Welfare should ensure that food aid is distributed in a
transparent, fair, and non-partisan manner. The department should establish clear guidelines and monitoring
mechanisms to prevent the politicization of aid distribution.
Ultimately, addressing the threats of violence and partisan distribution of food aid in Zimbabwe requires a
concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and the international community. It
is essential to promote a culture of tolerance, accountability, and respect for human rights to ensure that all
Zimbabweans can live without fear of violence or discrimination.
10