4.2.3 It was gathered from the interviews that traditional leaders, councillors and community food distribution committees mostly recommended by ZANU PF leaders orchestrate the removal of opposition party members from the list of beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are expected to chant ruling party slogans and to produce party affiliation cards before receiving food aid. 4.3. Participant observation 4.3.1. This was used to gain intimate familiarity with the community and their activities through intensive involvement with people in their environment. Using observations gave the team an understanding of the geographical location, land size and community relations in the area. 5. Food Deficit Mitigation Programme Background The Food Deficit Mitigation Programme was approved by Cabinet in May 2010.The key objective of the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme is to mitigate the impact of drought among both labour constrained and nonlabour constrained households whilst building community livelihoods. The Food Deficit Mitigation Programme has two components which are; a) Free food distribution to labour constrained households (elderly, disabled, chronically ill). Approximately 20%-25% of food insecure households are normally within this category. Under this component, vulnerable households receive a 50kg bag of grain and ideally $10 per month to cover other necessities such as milling and cooking oil. b) The second component is the Productive Safety Net in which households that are food insecure but have excess labour can participate in rehabilitation of community assets (food for work) and they receive either a 50kg bag of cereal or $20 cash. Page 9 of 21