The ManicaPost
Chenai Mutasa Post Correspondent
Two weeks ago Zimbabwe was plunged into mourning following a trail of destruction and deaths that were caused by tropical Cyclone Idai, whose consequence was felt in eastern parts of the country, including Chimanimani and Chipinge.
A lot of people, young and elderly, passed on, while others are still missing following this tragic and devastating natural disaster which has been labelled the worst weather storm to hit Southern Africa.
For most survivors, a wave of poverty has gripped them as the cyclone robbed them of everything they had including shelter, clothes, livestock and food.
Infrastructure such as roads, bridges and schools were also destroyed due to mudslides which were experienced in some areas.
However, struck by the extent of damage caused to our societies, man of generosity and goodwill from across various global communities have and continue to mobilise aid and relief for the victims of the cyclone.
The Government of Zimbabwe, foreign Governments, International development partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, faith groups, churches and political parties all played their part in mobilising the necessary aid and relief.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa had no option than to cut short his official visit to Abu Dhabi in order to be on the ground and lead Government efforts to salvage the situation.
To assume that natural disaster aid and relief is or ought to be free from politics is not only misplaced, but misleading.
Just like all other entities, political parties have a right to participate in humanitarian assistance work.
In that same context, it should be understood that political elites are constantly competing for political capital whenever the window of opportunity opens.
However, this window has been viewed from divergent views by many.
Some critics have coined this window of opportunity as “politicisation of food aid” after pictures and videos of people wearing ZANU-PF regalia at sites of aid distribution went viral early this week.
It boggles one’s mind that just yesterday when Government requested for all terrain 4×4 off-road motor vehicles, some citizens criticised the ZANU- PF party for alleged failing to release its branded vehicles for rescue efforts.
In the same vein, pictures of volunteers clad in ZANU-PF regalia removing rubble and stones blocking roads have been circulating on social media, but nobody could complained as to why these were participating.
Lately, to the surprise of many, there has been an outcry over ZANU-PF members and supporters participating in the distribution of aid and relief in Chimanimani.
Policy matters where individuals, interest groups, NGOs and political parties have differences including approaches and procedures of implementation strategies should not be misconstrued as politicisation.
As a result, acute conflict cannot be ruled out between opposing fronts at different levels regarding roles and responsibilities in policy matters and financial obligations and commitments, whether or not political in nature.
All political parties are alive to the fact that natural disaster comes in handy for publicity and political capital.
However, the scale at which they capitalise on such may differ according to capacity and strategy.
It may be recalled that even MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, at some stage, visited Manicaland to tour the affected areas and give out a few donations, not forgetting the photo session he had with some of victims and his ride in an ox-drawn cart.
Certainly, this was just, but a publicity stunt by the opposition leader.
However, this is as far as his strategy went as he limited himself and a few of the leaders he chose to travel with to grandstanding and thereafter armchair government critics as to how the disaster could have been handled.
There is no harm in the MDC alliance taking an active role in the different stages of relief and aid.
However, their absence on the ground should not be used to vilify those that are actively participating in the relevant processes around aid and relief.
However, for future purposes, the approach and implementation of all the stages of managing a disaster ought to be made clear to all stakeholders for avoidance of confusion and misguided perceptions.
Government departments such as the Civil Protection Unit ought to and should be at the centre of the coordinating aid and relief meant for disasters both in terms of policy and practicality.
What victims of Idai need right now is aid and relief from anyone who can offer it and not politicking by political parties who are trying to find relevance from their misfortune.
