Starvation looms in Matabeleland South (17-07-07)

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Speaking to The Zimbabwean this week some villagers said they some time spend more than a month having not seen sadza at their homes.
“It is so serious here that if no intervantion is put in plce people will die of hanger. The worst part of it is that the government some time expelled some donors who were assisting us with food after suspecting that thiose donors were working in lioison with the opposition MDC. As i speak i have about a month without eating our staple food sadza as mealie meal or maize has become so scarce it our area. We seriously need governement’s intervation and donors to chip in and assist” said Mr Sikhumbuzo Mpofu of Gwanda north area.
Villagers said the Grain Marketing Board could some time bring some maize for them to buy, but now they have last seen the deliveries in March. They said some families can spend a week with out eating.
Most of Matabeleland South areas were hit by drought this year that no farmer harvested reasonable. Even the irrigation farming failed to yeild any harvest as the supply dams could not hold any water as they were no adequate rains.
“We are calling the governement to come and assist us if it can if it can not then should allow the donors to come and give us food rather than to chase them away because they are not its sympathiasers. We want food we do not eat their ruling , they must know that” said Mr Abraham Sibindi of Damabashoko village in Gwanda.
Livestock is also in serious crisis as there are no adequate pastures for the liverstock due to the shortages of rains last season