Numerous cases of partisan distribution and looting of government aid
were also reported in Mashonaland East and West provinces.
In Murehwa North, MDC Alliance activists were left out in the
registration of those who were to receive mosquito nets.
The registering authorities, who included the local leadership, allegedly
told the opposition supporters that any aid coming from government
was meant for Zanu PF members only.
In Hurungwe at Sengwe Business Centre Zanu PF activists and Zanu PF
Councillors reportedly looted top dressing fertilizers meant for
villagers.
In Goromonzi a misunderstanding ensued between Zanu PF and MDC
Alliance members over the distribution of government inputs.
It is alleged that Zanu PF officials hijacked the distribution process,
using their own beneficiaries list, which did not include MDC Alliance
members, and this resulted in tensions.
These cases are not isolated, but a deliberate process to use aid as a
political tool.
In Gwanda North, Stanmore Ward 4, a Zanu PF activist identified as
Collen Moyo, addressing villagers who had gathered for food
distribution issued threats to MDC Alliance members.
Moyo allegedly called the MDC Alliance members ‘dogs’ that require
food from Zanu PF and yet they later criticize the party.
ZPP remains concerned by the persistence of food aid violations as
these point to a situation where government can deliberately let
people die of starvation for simply, and rightfully belonging to a
political party of their choice.
• The Constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees civil and political liberties
to all, and as such, everyone is free to affiliate themselves to any
political party. Government, on the other hand, is charged with the
responsibility to provide for all, regardless of which political party or
religious group they belong to.
• We therefore urge government to address the discrimination
happening during the distribution of food aid by using the
appropriate structures and technical staff within the relevant
ministries and by ensuring that political party officials do not
preside over the distribution of aid. The line between the ruling
party and government should be clear from the top to the bottom.
• In the interest of transparency and accountability, we also urge
government to publish statistics of beneficiaries and resources
allocated to each ward for public audit purposes.
“
Moyo allegedly
called the MDC
Alliance
members ‘dogs’
that require food
from Zanu PF
and yet they
later criticize the
party.
“
7