households received too many bags against the required criteria by the
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. The complainants highlighted they
had not reported the matter since they did not know where to report as it
was the Headman who was conniving with a Community Child Care
Worker. Others highlighted that they were afraid of reporting the issue at
the police since they feared that they would be called in to witness and
support the complaint.
2. RESPONDENTS’ ACCOUNTS
In accordance with the audi alteram partem rule ("let the other side be heard as well”),
the ZHRC held separate meetings with the respondents so as to hear their side of the
story. From the separate meetings and in response to the allegations raised by the
complainants, the following information was gathered:
2.1 Village Head Shundure 1 Village – the ZHRC spoke to the Village Head
from Shundure Village 1 who denied the allegations raised by the
complainants and stated as follows:
2.1.1 That he had not received any complaint from the community
members on the allegations raised.
2.1.2 He, however, noted that intimidation was rife in the area as
community members were being forced to attend political meetings
by those allied to the ruling party, ZANU PF. He alleged that people
ended up attending the political meetings due to fear of being left out
when food aid distribution exercises are taking place.
2.2 Councillor Tsoriyo – the ZHRC also managed to interview Mrs. Tsoriyo,
the Councillor for Shundure who stated as follows;
2.2.1 She confirmed the allegations but denied any one being forced to do
so. She indicated that community members who submitted the serial
numbers did so on a voluntary basis.
2.2.2 She indicated that village heads and councillors are asked how many
people in their areas are registered to vote. Therefore, the exercise
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