On 25 June 2014, the whole of Nekati village in Bindura was denied access to a ration of beans and
onion seeds that were donated by the Honourable Remigious Matangira, a Zanu PF Member of
Parliament. The incident took place at Muonwe Township in Bindura South, Mashonaland Central
province. The discrimination was based on allegations that the village is predominantly MDC-T
territory. Abraham Mhembere, the chairperson of
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Zanu PF instigated the discrimination persuading the
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MP to deny the victims the rations because they are
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MDC-T supporters.
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In Mashonaland East one case of violation in food
distribution was reported in Maramba Pfungwe at
Museka Business Centre on 16 June 2014. An MDCT supporter who is a widower looking after eight
children was denied the opportunity to register for
food aid targeted at the disadvantaged people because of his political affiliation. Edward Nyamweda,
Gibson Kanda and Phyllis Nyamweda of Zanu PF allegedly denied the victim access to food aid.
Despite the victim’s appeal to the public no one intervened and he left the centre crying.
There are a few food aid initiatives by the government and nongovernmental organisations in
Mashonaland West. Councillor Marecha of Chegutu East denied Remi Kamudyariwa to register for
food relief on 9 June 2014 because his son has been an MDC-T candidate in every election. In the
same province but different constituency, an MDC-T party supporter in Banket had her name omitted
by a team meant to distribute mosquito nets. After noting the error of omission the health facilitators
decided to take over the registration moving door to door. The registration had been done earlier on
by Zanu PF chairpersons of ward 22 and 23. On 13 June MDC-T supporter was denied access to
register for a community potato sack project by Cosmas Dzvuke of Zanu PF because he supports
MDC-T. This event occurred at Benga farm in Kadoma.
In Masvingo province areas in dire need of food relief include Chiredzi, Mwenezi and Chivi districts.
While food and other commodities are available in shops the prices are out of reach for most people.
Where food aid is available, it is still politicised.
The report from Matabeleland South indicates that the food situation has improved greatly as most
people had a good harvest from the just ended farming season. Local shops have recorded a reduction
in the mealie-meal sales. Humanitarian organizations are now giving food aid to a selected few such
as the elderly and the sick. Matabeleland North gives a similar report; the food situation is relatively
stable in most parts of the province owing to the good harvests experienced in most districts.
In Midlands, representatives of the Anglican Church of Canterbury in England reportedly donated
food hampers to local villagers in Chiwundura constituency, Chinamasa village, Ward 9 at Gambiza
Primary School. At this event one James Chanza, an MDC-T supporter told one of the intended
beneficiaries belonging to Zanu PF to leave the food allocation process because the food was meant
for friends of England who were allegedly MDC-T members and not Zanu PF members.
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