Food aid looted under the cover of darkness

Food aid in Zimbabwe is often distributed under the cover of darkness, enabling corrupt individuals to exploit the system, according to the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) in its Monthly Monitoring Report for October 2024.

“This blatant theft and maladministration not only violate the rights of the poor and elderly but also perpetuate hunger and desperation,” ZPP stated.

The organisation documented 13 incidents of unfair food aid distribution in October, highlighting a “shocking example” of a councillor in Ward 24, Buhera South, who diverted 40 bags of maize intended for the elderly. 

The councillor allegedly sold some of the maize at night and allocated the rest to undeserving relatives.

“In some instances, food aid is distributed at night in most cases, to allow the corrupt to use cover of darkness to loot,” said ZPP, describing the exploitation as a “heartbreaking reality of food aid exploitation in Zimbabwe is a stark reminder of the country’s entrenched corruption and disregard for human rights.”

The politicisation of food aid emerged as a major concern, with ZPP claiming ruling party officials used food distribution to coerce support or punish dissenters. 

“In Silobela, Ward 23, a male victim who has been denied any form of government aid for the past years for his political affiliation was once again recently compelled to leave a meeting when Edwin Mwale, a Zanu PF branch Secretary forced people to chant ruling party slogans before distribution. After his inquiry on whether it was a political meeting or not, the victim was chased away.”

In some instances, aid recipients were forced to chant ruling party slogans or publicly renounce opposition affiliations to receive rations. 

This manipulation disproportionately affected marginalised groups, including women, children, and people with disabilities.

“Rural communities, already struggling with poverty and El Niño-induced drought, are coerced into supporting the ruling party or face denial of essential assistance,” ZPP stated.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe recorded a total 184 human rights violations, affecting nearly 2 000 victims across the country in October, highlighting the ongoing struggle for fundamental freedoms and equitable access to resources in a country grappling with political and economic turmoil.

The violations detailed in the report paint a troubling picture, as threats of violence topped the list with 74 cases, followed by 22 violations of freedom of expression, 17 related to assembly and association.

“Threats of violence, harassment, and intimidation have been used to suppress political opposition and silence human rights activists. In Headlands, a candidate for Ward 38 local authority by-election reported intimidation and harassment from Zanu PF supporters,” read the report.

“In one of the incidents near Lawrencedale Primary School, the perpetrators accused the victim of taking pictures, forcibly took his phone, searched him and physically harassed him before he was let go.”

ZPP said threats of violence typically involve explicit or implicit warnings of physical harm or danger and the increase of such violations.

“Harassment and intimidation are pervasive issues in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural areas, where they significantly contribute to the denial of human rights. These unlawful practices are often perpetrated by individuals in positions of power, including traditional leaders (chiefs and village heads) and law enforcement officials, and are frequently used to silence political opponents,” the report said.

In Buhera South, ZPP noted a village head, Ernest Muzokomba, and a local councillor, Denmore Maweni, threatened a male victim for commenting on unfair food aid distribution on Change Radio, a news channel aligned with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). 

“The victim was also threatened with exclusion from government- sponsored aid programmes.”

Other abuses included malicious property damage (12), inhuman treatment (nine), assault (nine) and cases involving torture, abduction, forced displacement, and unjustified arrest.

ZPP said the victims included 787 women including three with disabilities and 1 204 men, two who have disabilities, disclosing the gendered and diverse nature of the abuses.

In a different incident documented in Chivi, ZPP said a headman also experienced harassment from Chivi’s District Development Coordinator Mr. Tyeni and Ward 8 Councillor, Mr. Njini,  for questioning instructions on the planned changes in payment of Rural Development Fund.

“The victim highlighted that paying the fund per head instead of per household would make people’s lives more difficult, which did not please the councilor and the DDC,” said the report.

“The perpetrators  instigated youths to physically assault the victim and threatened to commission an investigation on his conduct which would potentially see him being stripped of his headman position and losing all government supported benefits.”

Such unlawful practices are often perpetrated by individuals in positions of power, including traditional leaders and law enforcement officials, and are “frequently used to silence political opponents,” ZPP stated.

The monitoring report attributed 48.47 percent of the violations to individuals linked to the ruling Zanu PF, while the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) accounted for 23.01 percent. 

Municipal police and CCC members were also implicated, contributing 7.67 percent and 4.29 percent, respectively.

Notably, 12.27 percent of the perpetrators were unaffiliated with any group.

Despite the ZRP’s role in violations, ZPP commended the police for combating corruption, specifically in cases involving the theft of government-sponsored food aid intended for vulnerable communities.

ZPP said human rights violations were widespread across provinces as in Matabeleland South, farmers faced obstacles in accessing drought relief feed due to hidden costs, leaving the most vulnerable excluded. 

“In October, 14 human rights abuses were documented in Matabeleland South. Notable trends were conflicts and maladministration of the government sponsored livestock feeding programme,” the report stated.

In Gwanda South, farmers face significant human rights challenges in accessing government-provided livestock drought relief feed, ZPP said. 

“Although the feed is supposed to be free, farmers must cover transportation costs from Kwekwe, ranging from $15 to $20 per farmer, depending on distance. This requirement excludes those unable to afford transportation, as they are excluded from benefiting from the aid or end up getting less than allocated…”

In Bulawayo, six violations were recorded, primarily related to the flawed implementation of the Cash-for-Cereals programme in wards 11 to 16. 

“However, beneficiaries have expressed frustration with receiving ZiG, a currency not widely accepted by service providers,” said the report.

The exclusion of Econet line users forced potential beneficiaries to open separate lines, highlighting systemic issues and undermining efforts to support vulnerable families.

ZPP urged the Department of Social Development to address these challenges and make sure assistance reaches those in need. 

Midlands saw a rise in incidents, including the denial of aid based on political affiliation, with 17 violations recorded in October, up from 14 in the previous month. 

“Incidents of silencing of dissent or attempts to do so, and politicisation of aid have been reported across the province. In Ward 23, a male victim was taken in for questioning by police after inquiring about his exclusion from the beneficiaries list,” ZPP said.

“Approximately 20 households in Mberengwa East constituency were denied cattle feed aid by village heads solely due to their affiliation with the opposition party. Intimidation tactics were also employed, with village heads coercing community members to join the ruling party’s local cells, accompanied by threats to remove non-compliant individuals from the government aid beneficiaries list.”

The ZPP issued strong recommendations to curb the abuse of power and restore justice. It called on the police and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) to investigate and prosecute perpetrators, allow transparency, and strengthen administrative justice.