Zimbabwe: Chilonga Activists Face Food Aid Exclusion Amid Eviction Dispute

• Activists in Chilonga, Zimbabwe, allege that families opposing government relocation plans are being excluded from food aid programs.
• The exclusion targets villagers facing displacement, initially under Statutory Instrument 50 of 2021, which was later replaced by SI 72A of 2021, for an irrigation scheme project.
• The Director of MACRAD, Ephraim Mutombeni, expressed concern, stating food aid should not punish individuals for exercising their rights.
• Vulnerable groups, including women, children, and the elderly, are particularly affected by the alleged discriminatory distribution.
• Community activists are demanding that food assistance be distributed based on need, not political stance, while authorities have not yet responded.

Food assistance should never be weaponized to penalize individuals for exercising their rights or voicing legitimate concerns regarding land tenure and displacement.

The predominantly Shangani community in Chilonga, Zimbabwe, is currently embroiled in a contentious dispute over planned evictions, with recent allegations surfacing that families perceived to oppose the government's relocation efforts are being deliberately excluded from food assistance programs. This reported exclusion of Chilonga activists from food aid in Zimbabwe comes amidst heightened local tensions, as approximately 12,000 villagers face displacement from their ancestral lands. The government's plans were initially formalized under Statutory Instrument 50 of 2021 (Zimbabwe SI 50 of 2021), which was later repealed and replaced by Statutory Instrument 72A of 2021. While SI 72A of 2021 removed the immediate eviction order, it still designates about 13,000 hectares for an irrigation scheme, maintaining the threat of relocation for the community.

Ephraim Mutombeni, who serves as the Director for the Masvingo Centre for Research and Development (MACRAD), voiced significant concern over these MACRAD food aid allegations. He highlighted that the alleged exclusion of activists from vital food assistance programs is deeply troubling and risks exacerbating the existing vulnerability of affected households. Mutombeni specifically noted that families actively resisting the Chilonga evictions human rights implications are reporting that they are being systematically left out of aid distribution.

The reported use of food aid as a punitive measure raises serious questions about humanitarian aid discrimination law and fundamental human rights. Mutombeni emphasized the critical need for a thorough investigation to ascertain whether access to food assistance is being improperly influenced by villagers' stances on the proposed evictions. He unequivocally stated that food assistance should never be weaponized to penalize individuals for exercising their rights or voicing legitimate concerns regarding land tenure and displacement.

Activists working directly with the Shangani community displacement Zimbabwe have observed that some families are already experiencing increased economic hardship. This pressure stems from the restrictions and pervasive uncertainty surrounding their traditional land and livelihoods. The alleged exclusion from food aid is particularly alarming for the most vulnerable segments of the population, including women, children, elderly individuals, and families with severely limited income sources, further compounding their precarious situation.

The Masvingo Centre for Research and Development (MACRAD) has been a vocal advocate for the land and property rights of the Shangani community in Chilonga, actively mobilizing against the planned evictions. The organization has previously documented concerns regarding alleged surveillance and intimidation tactics employed against villagers, traditional leaders, and civil society activists who oppose the displacement plans. These new allegations of food aid exclusion further underscore the contentious nature of the Chilonga dispute.

The lack of transparency and fairness in the distribution of food assistance in the area has become a central point of contention. Community activists are urgently calling for food aid to be allocated strictly based on need, rather than being influenced by political affiliation or an individual's position on the Chilonga evictions. As of the time of publication, authorities responsible for the food aid programs had not issued any public response to these serious allegations, leaving critical questions about accountability and equitable distribution unanswered. Civil society organizations continue to advocate for the comprehensive protection of the community's land rights, livelihoods, and cultural heritage in the face of ongoing displacement threats.

Lawyers advising on human rights, land rights, or humanitarian law in Zimbabwe should note these allegations of discriminatory food aid distribution in Chilonga, as they may form the basis for future litigation or advocacy concerning the right to food and non-discrimination in forced displacement contexts.

Source: Original reporting via {source}