of food relief to vulnerable social groups from Grain Marketing Board (GMB) stocks. Section 77 of
the Zimbabwean Constitution also stipulates that every person has the right to sufficient food. In this
regard, there is no way we can talk about all Zimbabweans having sufficient food if sections of the
population are denied food on the basis of their political affiliation or orientation. According to the
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), the State has the obligation to refrain
from using access to food as a political tool to reward supporters, punish opponents or recruit
militias1. Zimbabwe is a state party to the ACHPR and has an obligation to ensure that Zimbabweans
access food and agricultural inputs regardless of their political affiliation or persuasion.
Political intolerance has been ingrained in the political fabric of Zimbabwe and this has stifled
democratic growth and compromised peace. Political intolerance has moved beyond physical
confrontation to include threats and intimidation, sixty nine percent (69%) of the cases reported by
ZPP in January involved threats and intimidation. In a typical case of intimidation, on 13 January
2015 two Zanu PF workers based at Marondera Office were harassed and threatened with beating
by war veterans Chitekuteku and Simon Dengu as well as seven other Zanu PF youths. The workers
were accused of belonging to the faction led by the former Vice President Joice Mujuru.
The factionalism within the ruling Zanu PF has continued to trigger more purges and conflict even at
lower levels of the party. The party is currently going through a restructuring exercise at various
party levels. This restructuring exercise is suspected to be aimed at cleansing the party of those
members perceived to belong to the Mujuru faction. In a case demonstrating the levels of political
intolerance, on 14 January 2015 three Zanu PF members perceived to belong to the Mujuru faction
were denied access to and participation in a branch party meeting held near Machikichori Beer Hall
in Chikanga, in Mutare. As the victims approached the venue of the meeting four party members led
by Jethro Pikirayi began shouting at them accusing them of being sell outs and barred them from
entering the meeting venue.
Democracy necessitates deep respect for the plurality of views and virtues of dialogue as a means of
resolving issues. Unfortunately in some cases violence has been used as a means to deal with
differences. In Bindura North on 1 January 2015 a Zanu PF Ward 8 Councillor was grabbed by the
collar by Mrs Bvunzawabaya who is the Chairperson for Zanu PF in Bindura North. The victim was
accused of being unfaithful to the party because of his allegiance to the local Member of Parliament
Kenneth Musanhi who was dismissed from the Central Committee in November 2014 for being
aligned to former Vice President Joice Mujuru. Mrs Bvunzawabaya demanded that the victim quit
his position from the Bindura North party structures.
People have a right to civil liberties wherein differences in viewpoints are accepted and respected;
unfortunately this is not the case in most areas in Zimbabwe. In a typical case, on 3 January 2015 in
Binga North constituency Chief Saba summoned his subjects for a meeting at his homestead. At the
meeting he declared that all his subjects had to support Zanu PF and buy party cards. In
Mashonaland East the village head for Chapendama village, Dhirihori Ward 19 in Marondera East
was demoted from his position by former Chief Svosve, Lovemore Zenda and Councillor Norbert
Hwenjere for being a suspected MDC-T affiliate. In another case, on 18 January 2015 a Bulawayo
Zanu PF activist Velaphi Ndlovu who has influence at Tshabalala police mobilized a group of
neighbourhood watch committees to round up ten youth supporters of MDC-T under the guise that
he wanted to get rid of thieves in the area. The youth were bundled into Velaphi’s Nissan pickup
truck which had no registration plates and were detained without charge at Tshabalala police camp.
1
African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights: Principles and guidelines on the implementation
of economic, social and cultural rights in the african charter on human and peoples’ rights
3