The Zimbabwean government’s plan of distributing basic food commodities to its supporters in the disguise of giving food to the underpriviledged population is slowly being exposed.

Despite 'calls' in the media by senior ZANU PF officials, for local authorities to strongly consider the plight of citizens who cannot afford to purchase groceries owing to exorbitant prices when distributing basic commodities, ruling party supporters are the only ones benefiting from the on-going Basic Commodities Supply Side Intervention (BACOSSI) scheme.

The government emphasised would-be beneficiaries of the BACOSSI initiative will have to 'register their names first', with their local authorities or leadership.

During the week, in Harare there were some small gatherings at most suburbs' shopping centers, as people scrambled to get their names on paper, for the much anticipated 'free food'.

In Mbare, Kuwadzana, Kambuzuma and Warren Park, many people were turned away and threatened to be beaten by ZANU PF youth, for trying to 'gain' what they did not work for.

In Warren Park, this prompted some of the starving residents to go back home and source ZANU PF party regalia.

State officials also recently announced the basic commodities are meant for any Zimbabwean, but restricted to one family per basket or food hamper, which will cost about $100 billion dollars (equivalent to a loaf of bread).

The hamper is said to contain a 750ml bottle of cooking oil at $12 billion (equivalent to 3 tomatoes on the market), rice, soap and salt, among other things.

One resident, Paradzai Meki was pushed out of the queue by the party youths, after other party residents failed to identify him.

"Who are you? Where were you when we were not sleeping so as to ensure Mugabe wins," shouted one of the party youths.

"These are the people who just stand by the road side and open their ears to find out what is happening."

"Well, this development isn't for you. If you are not in any way aligned to ZANU PF, please leave this place, or we will beat you up- if necessary," he said.

Ndlovu called on the local authorities to work together with all the ‘structures in communities’ to make sure that ‘no one is left out.’

“People in communities know each other better, the chiefs, the councilors and other influential people can assist in identifying the ‘less privileged’. At the same time, they must not abuse their privilege by diverting the commodities to the black market,” he said.

Many Harare residents, who are not ZANU PF supporters, or are ruling party supporters, but did not take part in the June 27 presidential election violent campaign against opposition members were told they won’t benefit.

During the run-up to the elections, residents were force-marched out of their houses and forced to attend night rallies (pungwes), at makeshift bases. Many were verbally and physically assaulted for not being ZANU PF sympathisers.

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