Reports of political interference with the international food pipeline NGO representatives also reported that they were concerned that access to food would be undermined if incidents of political violence increased in the run-up to the 2005 parliamentary elections, as had occurred in earlier elections.34 Several NGOs involved in distributing international food aid noted that ZANU PF supporters continue to interfere with food distributions in different areas of the country35 and to intimidate persons who are suspected or actual MDC supporters.36 These persons are then too afraid to collect food at distribution points. Further, some local authorities reportedly did not inform suspected or real MDC supporters about food registration exercises and/or food distributions.37 ZANU PF and MDC politicians have reportedly claimed before and after food distributions that the distributions took place due to their efforts, in the expectation that the beneficiaries should support their party.38 In some instances, involved communities or community leadership also reportedly excluded households marginalized by the community—often the most vulnerable members of the community, including widows, orphaned children of MDC supporters and other child-headed households—from food aid.39 Donors have insisted that relief agencies closely monitor and verify the selection of beneficiaries before and after food distributions.40 Relief agencies have established systems that enable members of the community to confidentially report incidents of manipulation, such as wrongful inclusion or exclusion of community members. Donor representatives note that these efforts have minimized exclusion errors and incidents of political manipulation.41 Several international NGOs and U.N. sources reported that the level of manipulation in Zimbabwe is below that in other countries, as generally the intended beneficiaries receive and are able to keep the food aid.42 Human Rights Watch notes, however, that some forms of exclusion—such as of the highly marginalized groups mentioned above—or political manipulation are extremely 34 Human Rights Watch interviews with NGO representatives, Harare, April 27 and May 30, 2004. See Human Rights Watch, “Under a Shadow: Civil and Political Rights in Zimbabwe,” A Human Rights Watch Short Report, June 6, 2003, at http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/africa/zimbabwe060603.htm. 35 Human Rights Watch was not able to independently verify these reports during this research mission. 36 Human Rights Watch interviews with NGO representatives, Harare, May 4 and 7, 2004. 37 Human Rights Watch interviews with NGO representatives, Harare, May 4 and May 7, 2004. 38 Human Rights Watch interviews with NGO representatives, Harare, May 14, 2004. 39 Human Rights Watch interviews with NGO representatives, Harare, May 4 and 14, 2004. 40 Human Rights Watch interviews with representatives of donor countries, the U.N. and relief agencies, Harare, April 28 to May 14, 2004. 41 Human Rights Watch interviews with representatives of the U.N., NGOs and donor countries, Harare, April 28 to May 14, 2004. 42 Human Rights Watch interviews with representatives of NGOs and donor countries, Harare, April 30 and May 4/5, 2004. 9