Villagers forced to buy ZANU PF cards in exchange for food
By Nomalanga Moyo
24th April 2013
There are increasing concerns that ZANU PF is using the food relief
programme to coerce villagers to take up party membership, amid a severe
grain shortage in the country.
Reports from the drought-prone areas of Matabeleland and the Midlands
indicate that ZANU PF officials have taken over the distribution of grain,
after kicking out non-governmental organisations that used to hand out food
to villagers.
Villagers in Silobela, Midlands, revealed that since the NGOs were barred,
soldiers are now overseeing the distribution of grain such as rice and wheat
under operation code-named ‘Maguta’ (Well-Fed).
Desire Mangena told SW Radio Africa that only ZANU PF supporters are
well-fed, as the selective distribution means that members of other parties
are missing out on the much-needed food aid.
Mangena said hungry villagers had resorted to using ZANU PF membership as an
access card to food aid. However, he said it will be folly for ZANU PF
officials to think that party membership means people support the regime.
He said: “Most people in Silobela support either of the MDCs or ZAPU and if
ZANU PF is using membership cards to gauge their popularity they will be
very disappointed come the day of the elections.”
In Matebeleland South, MDC-T parliamentarian Gabriel Ndebele told this
station how ZANU PF supporters on Friday took hijacked grain meant for all
Matobo South villagers and allocated it to their party’s members only.
Ndebele said the incident at Bidi Business Centre happened in his presence,
but he was powerless to do anything and could only confront the youths, led
by war veteran Soul Ndlovu, for an explanation.
“They told me that food is sourced by ZANU PF and therefore reserved for our
people only.
“The grain comes from national silos and is being distributed under the
grain loan scheme. It is meant for all Zimbabweans and not supporters of
just one party.
“Some of our supporters have been asking why the MDC does not come up with a
parallel food aid programme for its members but as a party we are trying to
operate in a manner that unifies, rather than divides the people.
“The partisan allocation of food by ZANU PF is not helping anyone as we are
still trying to unite people divided by the politics and violence of 2008,”
Ndebele added.
The legislator said he was in the process of writing a report to his
leadership in Harare expressing his concerns, and said it would help if food
distribution was left in the hands of traditional leaders as well as
district administrators from all constituency wards to ensure inclusivity.
In February Matebeleland South Governor Angelina Masuku expressed ignorance
over reports that people in Gwanda were being asked to prove ZANU PF
membership as a pre-condition to receiving food aid.
Masuku told SW Radio Africa that grain should be distributed to all
residents regardless of party affiliation.
However, MP Ndebele said Masuku’s response was a standard answer from all
ZANU PF officials: “Events on the ground suggest that the leadership is to
blame for the discrimination of members of other parties when it comes to
food relief.”