publications

VII. Politicization of Agricultural Equipment and Grain and Marketing Board Distribution of Food

The independent (non-governmental) election monitoring body Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN) and nongovernmental organizations such as the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) have expressed serious concerns over political interference in the distribution of free agricultural equipment (under the government’s farm mechanization program) and state subsidized maize and seed from the government’s Grain and Marketing Board (GMB).60  On January 10, 2008, ZESN reported political interference in the government’s farm mechanization program (funded by the Reserve Bank) to distribute free plows, donkey carts, seeds, and other equipment to farmers.  ZESN reported that in a number of provinces Zimbabwean farmers were forced to show loyalty to the ruling party by producing party cards to receive the equipment and seeds.61

Human Rights Watch did not witness any political interference in the distribution of food by the GMB but received more than 20 reports of alleged manipulation of food distribution from villagers in provinces such as Masvingo, Manicaland, Midlands, and Matabeleland North and South.62  In view of the credible reports from ZESN and ZPP, and the evidence gathered from the villagers interviewed by Human Rights Watch in the provinces it visited, there are well-founded reasons to believe that the government’s subsidized food program and its farm mechanization program are being manipulated by ZANU-PF and the government to achieve political gain.

Perceived political adversaries of ZANU-PF or the government have encountered obstacles in gaining access to food or agricultural equipment.  Those denied access to the government’s programs include perceived supporters and members of the MDC, teachers, farmers, and human rights activists. In Mutare, Manicaland province, Human Rights Watch interviewed a ZANU-PF supporter who confirmed that grain distribution from the GMB was subject to political interference. She told Human Rights Watch, “The mealie meal is only being accessed by us. It is very easy. Only those who are on the councillors’ lists can access the grain. A person who is not on the list cannot. Even at our rallies only known supporters of ZANU-PF are allowed to attend the rallies.”63 In effect, without a ZANU-PF party card people cannot register for or receive government-subsidized grain or farming equipment. It seems likely that such incidents of political interference will increase as the election date approaches.

In Marange, Manicaland province, an elderly villager told Human Rights Watch,

Maize that comes through GMB is given to the councillors who then give it to ZANU-PF supporters only. First of all you go through a rigorous exercise where they [local ZANU-PF councillors] go to kraal heads who ask about every individual and whether they go to ZANU-PF meetings. If someone hates you he can accuse you of belonging to the MDC and then [you] don’t get any food. A lot of people even though they support the MDC, they will not say it because you will starve if you say you support the MDC.64

Human Rights Watch received numerous similar reports during the course of its research missions.  In its report on partisan food distribution, the ZPP documented discriminatory practices in the distribution of seed, tilling equipment, and agricultural credit.  In total the organization recorded 179 such cases in September 2007.65

The politicization of giving out agricultural equipment and government-subsidized food in the period before the elections severely restricts the ability of Zimbabweans to freely support and vote for the party and candidate of their choosing.




60 See “Concern over pre-election environment, Election Update (1),” ZESN press statement,  January 25, 2008;  Zimbabwe Peace Project, “Food Monitoring Report, September, 2007”; and Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), “Partisan Distribution of Food and Other Forms of Aid: A National Report, October 2007,” January 17, 2008.

61 “Concerns over pre-election environment.” ZESN press statement.

62 Human Rights Watch interviews with ordinary voters (names withheld), Mashonaland West, Masvingo, and Matabeleland provinces, September 24–October 6, 2007, and February 4–24, 2008.

63 Human Rights Watch interview with ZANU-PF supporter (name withheld), Chikanga, Mutare, Manicaland province, February 10, 2008. Several minutes into the interview the supporter expressed concern about revealing the ruling party’s activities in the area to Human Rights Watch and asked, “So am I a sell out now that I am telling you party secrets?”

64 Human Rights Watch interview with elderly villager (name withheld), Marange, Manicaland province, February 10, 2008.

65 ZPP, “Monthly Food Monitoring Report, September 2007.”