In its latest
report, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) documented several cases where
deserving cases were denied food aid on political grounds.
Zimbabwe is in
the midst of its worst drought in years that has left over five million
citizens in urgent need of food aid.
Last April,
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the El Niño-induced drought a state of
national disaster and appealed for US$3 billion from well-wishers in a bid to
marshal resources and avert possible starvation.
China responded
to the distress call, and in December donated four metric tonnes of rice to be
distributed among 360 members of the National Assembly and Senate for onward
distribution to hungry citizens.
“However, the
approach, where this food aid is being distributed to citizens by MPs and
Senators, raises concerns about the politicisation of food aid and its
potential to cripple beneficiaries,” the ZPP said in its report.
“By
distributing aid through political channels rather than the social welfare
system, government may inadvertently create dependency on political patronage
rather than addressing the root causes of poverty.
“A more
effective and sustainable approach would be to strengthen the social welfare
system, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most, regardless of their
political affiliations.”
ZPP also raised
concern over theft off food aid.
“Additionally,
theft and corrupt practices in the distribution and handling of the aid
deprives potential beneficiary households of their right to food, further
exposing them to hunger due to the effects of the El Niño-induced drought,” the
peace watchdog said.
In December,
Zanu PF Uzumba MP Wiriranai Muchemwa and ward 15 councillor Knowledge Chipundu
were arrested for allegedly stealing 40 tonnes of food aid worth US$12 000.
In September,
the World Food Programme (WFP) revealed that it successfully assisted 269 514
people out of a total of 272 787 in Buhera, Mwenezi and Mangwe, with funding
received from its Africa Risk Capacity Replica Policy payout.
Government has
also rolled out a food distribution exercise.
However,
reports of food politicisation have resurfaced, with Zanu PF activists cited as
the chief culprits.
ZPP also
documented 95 human rights violations that include threats of violence,
assault, restricted freedoms of assembly and association, among others. Newsday
