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At the same time, a familiar tactic of starving the opposition is being played out. On Thursday, Mugabe’s government announced a ban on non-government organisations providing food aid in the countryside, accusing them of ‘political activity’ and leaving Zanu PF clear to use food to coerce votes.
The UN and the Food and Agriculture Organisation are warning that Zimbabweans are enduring unusually huge shortages of food supplies. Bread in particular is becoming scarce and the goverment’s grain silos are said to be empty. American and British officials said food was being used as a weapon, because with the charities banned millions of the poorest Zimbabweans have to turn to Mugabe. Only the government and Mugabe’s Zanu PF will now be distributing food and other aid.
The outspoken US ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee, said on Friday that the authorities were now supplying food mostly to Mugabe supporters. In a video-conference from Harare, McGee said his embassy has evidence food was being offered to opposition members only if they hand over their ID cards.
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