Zimbabwe food aid looted under the cover of darkness

A new report from the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has exposed widespread corruption and exploitation in the distribution of food aid across the country, with several instances of unfair practices documented throughout October 2024. According to the ZPP's Monthly Monitoring Report, food aid is often distributed under the cover of darkness, enabling corrupt individuals to steal or divert resources meant for vulnerable communities.

In one particularly shocking incident, a councillor from Ward 24 in Buhera South is alleged to have diverted 40 bags of maize intended for the elderly. Some of the maize was sold at night, while the rest was reallocated to relatives of the councillor. ZPP described these actions as "blatant theft and maladministration," emphasizing the detrimental impact on the poor and elderly. The report noted that food aid is often distributed at night to facilitate these illicit activities, as the cover of darkness allows for unchecked looting.

"The heartbreaking reality of food aid exploitation in Zimbabwe is a stark reminder of the country's entrenched corruption and disregard for human rights," said ZPP. The organization also highlighted the politicization of food aid, with ruling party officials using food distribution as a tool to coerce political support or punish dissent.

In Silobela, Ward 23, a man was denied government aid for years due to his political affiliation, and was recently forced to leave a meeting when Edwin Mwale, a Zanu PF branch Secretary, demanded attendees chant ruling party slogans before aid distribution. When the man questioned whether the meeting was political, he was chased away. In some cases, recipients have been forced to publicly renounce opposition affiliations to receive aid, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups such as women, children, and people with disabilities.

ZPP's report also detailed other forms of coercion in rural communities, where citizens struggling with poverty and the effects of El Niño-induced drought are threatened with the denial of vital aid unless they support the ruling party. "Rural communities are coerced into supporting the ruling party or face denial of essential assistance," the report stated.

In addition to food aid abuses, the report also documented 184 human rights violations affecting nearly 2,000 victims across the country in October. Violations ranged from threats of violence to attacks on freedom of expression, with 74 cases of violence, 22 violations of freedom of expression, and 17 related to the right to assembly and association topping the list.

The ZPP emphasized that threats of violence and intimidation have been used to suppress political opposition and silence human rights activists. In one instance, a candidate for a local authority by-election in Headlands reported being harassed by Zanu PF supporters, who accused him of taking pictures and physically assaulted him. The police were also implicated in these violations, though ZPP acknowledged the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for its role in combating corruption, particularly in cases of stolen food aid.

Among the victims of human rights violations, ZPP noted the disproportionate impact on women, with 787 women, including three with disabilities, and 1,204 men, including two with disabilities, suffering from these abuses. Many of these violations occurred in rural areas, where political leaders and law enforcement officials used their power to suppress dissent and silence political opponents.

ZPP's report also highlighted challenges in rural areas, particularly in Matabeleland South, where farmers faced difficulties accessing drought relief feed due to hidden transportation costs. In Gwanda South, farmers were required to pay for transportation to collect government-provided livestock feed, excluding those unable to afford it from benefiting.

The implementation of the Cash-for-Cereals program in Bulawayo also faced criticism, with beneficiaries expressing frustration over receiving government-issued currency that was not widely accepted by service providers. The exclusion of Econet line users further compounded the difficulties faced by vulnerable communities.

ZPP called on the authorities to address these systemic issues and ensure that food aid and other forms of assistance reach those in need. The organization also urged the police and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the abuse of power, emphasizing the need for transparency and administrative justice to prevent further exploitation.

The report painted a troubling picture of a nation where food aid, an essential lifeline for many, has been weaponized for political and personal gain, leaving Zimbabwe's most vulnerable citizens to bear the brunt of a broken system.