News / Regional
Food used as political tool in Matabeleland North
05 Mar 2016 at 08:04hrs | Views
There has been increasing incidents of discrimination in food distribution and harassment and intimidation of political opponents made up most of the violations in Matabeleland North.
"Food was being used as a political tool to control communities. The right to health was heavily compromised as a result of gross shortage of medicines in health institutions," Zimbabwe Peace Project reported.
"This was tragically exposed in Sipepa area of Tsholotsho where a school boy was bitten by a cobra at night and was rushed to Sipepa Hospital. There the boy was only given paracetamol because there was no anti venom serum. He died the following morning."
ZPP reported that it appears the ruling 'elite' found new ways of denying their rivals and perceived opposition members the right to food.
"This they did by ensuring that during registration process they write their party colleagues top of the lists so that in case of food running out their people would have benefited and rivals lose out," reported ZPP.
"Some relief food was reportedly also seen being sold in shops especially in Nkayi."
"Food was being used as a political tool to control communities. The right to health was heavily compromised as a result of gross shortage of medicines in health institutions," Zimbabwe Peace Project reported.
"This was tragically exposed in Sipepa area of Tsholotsho where a school boy was bitten by a cobra at night and was rushed to Sipepa Hospital. There the boy was only given paracetamol because there was no anti venom serum. He died the following morning."
ZPP reported that it appears the ruling 'elite' found new ways of denying their rivals and perceived opposition members the right to food.
"This they did by ensuring that during registration process they write their party colleagues top of the lists so that in case of food running out their people would have benefited and rivals lose out," reported ZPP.
"Some relief food was reportedly also seen being sold in shops especially in Nkayi."
Source - Byo24News
