THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has called for the investigation and disciplining of senior government officials, who are behind partisan distribution of agricultural inputs and food aid.
BY PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
The human rights watchdog yesterday unveiled a report, which noted that Zanu PF members and some public servants were linked to partisan distribution of food, agricultural inputs and other forms of aid in seven constituencies, where it carried out investigations.
“The commission, on the basis of evidence gathered, came to the conclusion that there was indeed discrimination and exclusion of certain citizens in the distribution of food aid in Bikita East, Mazowe Central, Muzarabani North and South, Buhera North and Zvimba South constituencies,” ZHRC chairperson, Elasto Mugwadi, said.
“Those errant public servants have to be disciplined by the Public Service Commission in terms of Statutory Instrument 1 of 2000 (SI 1/2000).”
He said investigations conducted between April and August this year established that there was unbridled maladministration on the part of some public officials, who were allegedly performing their duties partially and with bias against people affiliated to certain political parties in contravention of the provisions of the Public Service Regulations SI 1/2000.
The regulations require public officials to be apolitical and discharge their duties impartially and objectively.
“Community leaders, such as village headmen, village secretaries and district administrators and in the case of Bikita East the councillors, who are all members of the ruling party (Zanu PF), were alleged to be biased in favour of members of their own party and against members of the opposition, whom they told openly that those affiliated to the opposition would never get food aid,” Mugwadi said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The commission also noted that Zanu PF youths, who were not even part of the distribution committees, were involved in the distribution of food aid and agricultural inputs.
The findings validate complaints by opposition parties over the years that Zanu PF has been manipulating food aid to gain votes in rural constituencies.
The commission also exhorted the police to investigate, without fear or favour, all political-related criminal violations.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police should at all times act impartially in investigating criminal violations of human rights. For instance, the assault perpetrated by Zanu PF members on the MDC-T Buhera North Ward 7 councillor should have been investigated without fear or favour and timeously,” Mugwadi recommended.
The commission’s report comes hardly two weeks after it issued a strongly worded statement against police’s conduct during demonstrations that rocked the country last month.
