Ex-political detainees lose benefits for supporting the opposition

By Tererai Karimakwenda

07 April 2006

Ex-political detainees have been receiving a monthly pension from the government since 2005 due to an Act of parliament that sailed through just before elections. Those who qualified as former political prisoners during the liberation struggle have been receiving about
Z$1.5 million a month since last October. But our contact Peter in Chimanimani alleges that ex-detainees, believed to be opposition supporters, have been cut off from these benefits without explanation.

Peter told us he spoke to one ex-political detainee in the Chimanimani area who had not received his monthly payments since December. He is known to be an MDC member and activist. Peter said he found many such cases in the area even though the parliamentary act does not specify that beneficiaries are to be ruling party supporters only. He did not find any ZANU-PF members who had been affected this way.

Opposition supporters are also being denied food by GMB officials in Chimanimani. Peter told us it is no secret that ZANU-PF cards are required in order to buy maize from the GMB or from ruling party councillors. He said this is nothing new in the area but it has intensified as they get closer to rural council elections due in August. Peter explained that Chimanimani residents did not grow much maize or other produce last season even though the rains were good. They had no seeds and fertiliser which had been promised. Christian Care is feeding residents in need right now but it’s feared the group will be forced to cut off its programme just before the elections, as the government once again tries to force voters into a desperate situation, dependent on government hand outs.