Village head Masasi and the Zanu PF Ward Chairman, Washington Dirikwe, are alleged to have ordered six villagers to return bags of maize that they had received as part of a food aid scheme. The Department of Social Welfare distributed 600 bags of 50kg maize on 6 December at Arex offices in Nyanyadzi. During the distribution of food aid, the traditional leaders announced to villagers that food aid was only to benefit Zanu PF card-carrying members and supporters. Of the six victims, two were polling agents for Admore Mtetwa. Mtetwa vied for Member of Parliament at the Chimanimani West by-election on 26 November.
Prior to the election village heads in Chimanimani West were accused of using food aid to lure villagers to vote for Zanu PF candidate Nokuthula Matsikenyeri while Zanu PF Provincial Youth Chairperson, Mubuso Chinguno, was accused of intimidating villagers and insisting that some of them should be assisted to vote despite the obvious capability of the said voters to exercise their right freely.
ZPP calls on local leaders to diligently and fairly execute their duties. Subject to the Traditional Leaders Act, village heads in discharging their functions should not be influenced by political affiliation and they should at all times uphold laws of Zimbabwe. In addition, Section 281 of the Constitution notes that traditional leaders must not act in a partisan manner. In this regard the village heads and other local leaders should respect people’s constitutionally guaranteed rights to food and political choice.
ZPP is a Non Governmental Organisation that was founded in 2000 by a group of faith based and human rights NGOs working and interested in human rights and peace-building initiatives. ZPP has become a vehicle for civic interventions in times of political crises. In particular, ZPP seeks to monitor and document incidents of human rights violations and breaches of peace.
If you are concerned about acts of violence in your community, ZPP encourages you to get in touch with us on Hotline and WhatsApp numbers
+263 774 883 406 and +263 774 883 417
Post published in: News