KEY VIOLATIONS
October MMR
POLITICAL DISCRIMINATION IN FOOD AID AND AGRIC-INPUTS DISTRIBUTION
In October, political discrimination in government
forced people to chant ruling party slogans before a
sponsored food aid distribution emerged as a
distribution. After his inquiry on whether it was a political
pernicious
meeting or not, the victim was chased away.
tactic
to
manipulate
vulnerable
populations, perpetuating dynamic human rights
The selective distribution of food aid also exacerbates
violations. The Zimbabwe Peace Project documented
existing social and economic inequalities, deepening the
13 violations of such cases across the country. While
vulnerability of marginalised groups, including women,
the documented incidents are not exhaustive of the
children, and persons with disabilities. Furthermore, partisan
situation obtaining on the ground, the ruling party's
food aid distribution undermines the independence of
control over food aid has continuously allowed it to
traditional leaders, who are pressured to align with the
weaponize hunger, denying assistance to opposition
ruling party, compromising their role as impartial custodians
supporters and targeting perceived dissenters. This
of community interests. This insidious manipulation of food
politicisation of food aid contravenes international
aid perpetuates a culture of fear, repression, and impunity,
human rights law, specifically the right to food, life,
undermining Zimbabwe's democratic foundations and the
and freedom from discrimination. Rural communities,
fundamental human rights of its citizens.
already struggling with poverty and El Nino induced
The heartbreaking reality of food aid exploitation in
drought, are coerced into supporting the ruling party
Zimbabwe is a stark reminder of the country's entrenched
or face denial of essential assistance. In several
corruption and disregard for human rights. In areas like
instances, community members are forced to chant
Manicaland, traditional leaders and politicians are colluding
party slogans and praise political leaders before
to hoard food aid, denying the most vulnerable citizens of
they receive the allocated rations. Known opposition
their rightful assistance. A shocking example is the councillor
supporters are forced to publicly “repent”, that is,
in Ward 24, Buhera South, who diverted 40 bags of maize
publicly renouncing their support for the opposition
meant for the elderly, selling them under the cover of the
and declaring their support to ZANU PF before they
night and allocating some to undeserving relatives. In some
can access food aid. In Silobela Ward 23, a male
instances, food aid is distributed at night in most cases, to
victim who has been denied any form of government
allow the corrupt to use cover of darkness to loot. This
aid for the past years for his political affiliation was
blatant theft and maladministration not only violate the
once again recently compelled to leave a meeting
rights of the poor and elderly but also perpetuate hunger
when Edwin Mwale, a ZANU PF branch Secretary
and desperation. The Zunde Ramambo program, intended to
support those in need, has been transformed
into a tool for political manipulation and
personal
Traditional
Leaders
T
RA
ORS
4.29
%
consequences
are
shattered, and the most vulnerable are left to
suffer.
It's
politicisation
a
of
stark
food
reminder
aid
has
that
the
real-life
consequences, perpetuating inequality and
PERP
entrenching poverty.
ZPP calls on all government entities involved in
the social welfare of citizens to recognize the
AFF
IL
I
AT
ION
CCC
4.29
%
The
devastating: families go hungry, trust is
7.67
%
ET
Municipal Police
gain.
urgent need to address these human rights
12.27
%
violations and ensure food aid reaches those
who need it most.
Unknown
ZANU PF
48.47
%
23.01
%
Zimbabwe
Republic Police
4