This is the second edition of the monthly COVID-19 Accountability Tracker.
The Accountability tracker analyses and assesses government’s commitment towards dealing with
COVID-19 and its effects. This is because COVID-19 has gone beyond being just a health issue as it has
affected the socio-economic and political situation in the country and beyond.
Four months into the distribution of inputs under the agricultural scheme, Pfumvudza, ZPP
has recorded cases of discrimination of those perceived to be supporters of opposition
political parties. From August to December, ZPP recorded 158 cases of aid discrimination and
this was observed mostly in Masvingo, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central
provinces with ruling party officials, and elected and traditional local leaders influencing the
process to make it partisan. In some incidents recorded by ZPP, Zanu PF officials used
Pfumvudza inputs to campaign during the party’s DCC elections. This practice will result in
increased food insecurity as those sidelined might not be able to afford maize seed and
fertilisers from retail outlets.
Schools closed on 18 December, and for the four months they had been open, government
did not provide adequate COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and ZPP observed
that there was no strict monitoring process to assess for adherence to protocols in schools. By
the day of closing schools, more than 300 students had tested positive for COVID-19 and
there was a fear that returning students would infect parents with the virus. Subsequently,
after schools closed, cases of COVID-19 took an upward spiral. With cases of COVID-19 rising
critical questions have to be posed; does the country have adequate facilities to
accommodate patients in all parts of the country. While the government had been talking
about facilities being upgraded to be COVID 19 compliant it seems more and more people
were not able to get beds in these facilities contributing to increased number of deaths.
ZPP urges government to prioritise the education sector and avail resources to ensure that
learners attend lessons in a safe environment when schools eventually reopen.
Government should also avail resources for adaptation in the education sector, in case schools
cannot physically open doors to all students due to the pandemic. Students in both rural and
urban areas must be able to continue with their education and avoid losing time like what
happened from March.
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