Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) says community members from Tsholotsho District have voiced concerns over ‘abuse’ of some traditional leaders by politicians during distribution of food aid.

It was gathered that some traditional leaders, especially village heads, were forced to wear regalia belonging to political parties during food aid registration and distribution meetings.

Development Diaries understands that Zimbabwe is already facing a food crisis with more than four million people expected to be food insecure by year-end owing to the severe drought, cyclone Idai and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The issue of the ‘abuse’ was raised during the virtual district dialogue convened by communities in Tsholotsho.

‘In some instances, village heads get directives from local political leaders when registering and distributing food aid’, HZT said in a statement.

Absence of grassroots local government structures, such as village development committees and ward development committees, were other issues raised during the dialogue.

Participants noted that in some wards and villages these structures were non-existent, making it difficult for active participation of citizens in governance.

HZT noted that the dialogue established committees in all the wards that are going to be responsible for engaging traditional leaders and make them aware of their constitutional obligations.

These committees will also be responsible for monitoring food registration and distribution meetings.

Source: 263 Chats

Photo source: EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid