Zimbabwe Plans To Set Subsidised Shops Within Camps And Barracks For Security Forces

Zimbabwe has announced plans to set up shops (garrison) within camps and barracks for security forces. The shops as indicated by the Minister of Information during a Cabinet briefing this Wednesday afternoon will be selling subsidized goods like maize meal and cooking oil to members of the security forces.

Authorities say that the development is premised at easing conditions for the security forces but some believe it is a strategy to tame anger over economic hardship. Addressing members of the media, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said:

Garrison shops in terms of physical structures already exist in the cantonment areas but there is no subsidy, that is what we want to try to cure with this proposal.

There are fears that the deteriorating state of affairs could result in masses revolting against the government. Things would be worse if members of the security forces join the revolt.

An internal memo that was recently leaked suggests that the security sector was given a cost of living adjustment to cushion them from the bumps of life and the cushion was with effect from January although the payment would be staggered for four months.

More: Reuters