Commissions Watch 3/2017 Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Report: Report on Food Aid Cases 5 May committees which are comprised of the District Administrator, Ward Councillors, Headmen, representatives from various government ministries and departments, including Grain Marketing Board, District Development Fund, Agritex and the Zimbabwe Republic Police. However, in “Bikita East and Mazowe Central Constituency youth from the ruling party, who are not even part of the distribution committee, were involved in the distribution of food aid and agriculture inputs”. It also does not help that the distribution committees are, according to the complaints lodged to the Commission, “controlled by ZANU-PF party officials who dictate who should or should not be given food aid”. Complaints mechanisms Complaints against food distribution committees at the ward level should be directed to the district committee, which is presided over by the District Administrator. If the matter is not resolved at that level, the matter should be taken to the provincial committee chaired by the Provincial Administrator. In Buhera and Mazoe, the constituents were aware of the procedural steps to take to lodge complaints, and took the requisite steps. In both constituencies, however, complaints lodged were not satisfactorily resolved. Conclusion The Commission’s report makes recommendations to various stakeholders involved in the distribution of food aid— ▪ the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare should, among other things, “carry out investigations into the cases of discrimination in the distribution of food aid” and take action “against public officials who deviate who deviate from their core duties and undertake private politically affiliated activities on government time.” ▪ the Public Service Commission “should monitor the activities of its officials and other stakeholders it engages in food aid distribution to ensure that food aid distribution is conducted in a non-partisan matter and that they do not prioritise their political affiliation when executing their duties as public officials since such conduct amounts to maladministration”. ▪ the Zimbabwe Republic Police “should remain apolitical at all times, and investigate criminal violations of human rights impartially and timeously”. Comment Withholding food aid, for whatever reason, can have dire consequences for those affected— ▪ the health risks are numerous ▪ the possibility of starving to death is a reality – especially for the very young and the elderly ▪ young girls and women are put at risk of sexual exploitation in exchange for material benefits.