Local Government Minister July Moyo has been criticized for threatening to expel food aid agencies if their supporters suspected they were not politically correct.
Relief agencies are playing a crucial role in reaching vulnerable populations across the country in the wake of the El Niño-induced drought that has left millions facing hunger.
Yesterday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the drought a national disaster, revealing that the country needs about US$2 billion to avoid famine.
However, the ZANU-PF is concerned about suspected “hostile” NGOs distributing food aid.
Moyo let the cat out of the bag last week in Buhera when he warned of “decisive action” against NGOs suspected of “mistreating” or “manipulating” rural people during food distribution.
Moyo was addressing villagers under the leadership of Chief Chiduku in Buhera.
The sources said intelligence officers at provincial and district levels have been assigned to monitor food aid agencies while the local ZANU-PF leadership has been directed to actively participate in aid distribution.
Independent analyst Bardon Tawdzira said the threat facing food aid agencies was worrying.
“Rural areas are the stronghold of Zanu PF, and the government fears it will lose its grip if people become dependent on aid agencies, and not on the government,” Tawdzira said.
Another analyst, Margaret Makoyana, expressed concern about the potential impact on food distribution.
“Food aid should be based on need, not political affiliation. Threats against NGOs will only worsen the situation for millions facing hunger,” Makoyana said.
This comes after the issuance of a law that increases government oversight of NGOs, raising concerns about stifling independent humanitarian efforts.
The World Food Program estimates that 2.7 million Zimbabweans need food aid due to drought, a number that is expected to rise as the year progresses.
The ZANU-PF government has a history of politicizing food aid.
In the past, there have been accusations of diverting resources to party supporters. Newsday
