Zanu PF flagged for partisan distribution of food, agricultural inputs

Source: Zanu PF flagged for partisan distribution of food, agricultural inputs –Zimbabwe Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust

A ZIMBABWEAN election watchdog has expressed concern over the alleged partisan distribution of agricultural inputs by the ruling Zanu PF party during the current crop loss season caused by El Niño-induced drought.

The Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust (ZEAT) said resources are allocated based on political affiliation rather than need.

In an interview with NewsDay, ZEAT Executive Director Ignatious Sadziwa said agricultural inputs meant to help all farmers were being manipulated for partisan gains.

He considered Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Misheck Mugadza as a key figure in this controversial distribution process.

He said their findings in the province indicate that agricultural inputs, labeled as presidential support, are being distributed exclusively to Zanu PF supporters.

“Mugadza, who is the Minister of Provincial Affairs, is working closely with the traditional leaders who are apparently acting on behalf of Zanu PF,” he said.

The Minister of Provincial Affairs, who is also the Mutasa South legislator, denied the allegations yesterday.

“I am not aware of such reports. If I get the reports, I will personally look into them and rectify the situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, a report by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has revealed that political discrimination in the distribution of government-sponsored food aid has emerged as a tactic to manipulate Zimbabwe’s vulnerable populations.

The organization documented 15 cases of violations across the country, highlighting the ruling party’s control of food resources as a means of fighting hunger against opposition supporters.

According to ZPP, villagers are forced to chant party slogans and praise political leaders before receiving food rations.

The report flagged an incident where a resident of Ward 23 in Silobela was turned away at a cast meeting after asking if it was politically motivated.

The ZPP report coincided with Sadziwa’s claim that traditional leaders and politicians are working together to deny food aid to communities.

The report indicated that in some areas of Manicaland, there was collusion between traditional leaders and politicians to hoard food aid while denying assistance to the most vulnerable citizens.

However, speaking to NewsDay, Zanu PF information director Farai Marapira yesterday dismissed allegations that the party served everyone regardless of political affiliation.

“The party, as the president has stated, serves all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation. It is a blatant falsehood that any true cadre of Zanu PF would do such a heinous act,” he said.

“We are guided by our leader who said he is a leader of all Zimbabweans and as a party we are following his guidance and we are a party for all.”