Army blocking food and legal aid from Murambatsvina victims

By Tererai Karimakwenda
12 August 2005

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights have reported that army officials are in charge of a farm outside Harare where the government is keeping victims of operation Murambatsvina. The lawyers were told they needed to go through a process involving army officials at Makombe Building in Harare, and the ministry of social welfare, which is now taking an active role in distributing food.

Lawyer Otto Saki told an army lieutenant at Hopley Farm that he did not need permission or accreditation to see his clients. Saki said the officer was not hostile, but he said he was under orders not to allow access to anyone without permission and could not give out any other information. Church groups have also complained that they were prevented from bringing food to the families at Hopley.

This development comes as the consignment of food and other supplies sent to help displaced Zimbabweans by the South African Council of Churches (SACC) is expected to arrive this weekend. The supplies were delayed by Zimbabwean officials at the border who claimed they wanted documents confirming the food was not genetically modified. It appears the displaced families will have to wait even longer for the food and blankets while the church groups apply for permission from the army and the social welfare ministry.

Lawyer Otto Saki said the government is imposing these bureaucratic controls in order to put their name and stamp of approval on it. He said this gives the impression that they are in control when in fact the opposite is true. Saki said the fact that the government has had to ask for this assistance has implications in itself.

Meanwhile the families at Hopley Farm are living without shelter and food. The water supplies are erratic and the army will not them out to fend for themselves.