Zims influx baffle Bots govt (14-08-07)

risis in Zimbabwe is currently threatening Botswana’s food security, The Zimbabwean can reveal.

Botswana police Chief Superintendant Matlhaba Phiri said since reports of alarming food shortages in Zimbabwe due to government’s poorly planed prices slash, the number of Zimbabweans entering to buy groceries in Botswana have alarmingly increased This ,he said will soon result in shortages in Botswana as the demand is being increased by foriegners especially from Zimbabwe. This will affect the country’s food supplies.

“We are currently experiencing mass influx of Zimbabweans here in Botswana due to current shortages rocking Zimbabwe. We will soon talk to Zimbabwe government on the issue in order to see how best we can assist each other. Since the prices slash in Zimbabwe, the country is reportedly experiencing adverse shortages resulting in scores of people crossing into Botswana to buy groceries and other important goods. This will soon course shortages in this country as well” said Supt.Phiri.

A visit to the Gaborone main bus station and railway station this week by The Zimbabwean established that scores of Zimbabweans were boarding busies and the train goimg back to Zimbabwe after having bought their groceries. Those who live in Botswana were also sending food back to their relatives at home. Some of them who spoke to this reporter said starvation is looming at home since the prices slash was effected, hence their resolve to come to Botswana to buy food for their families.

“We come here not for pleasure but to buy food for our families. We are starving at home since the prices slash were effected. Shop shelves are empty and the only way we can keep our families alive is by coming here to buy food. As you see us here, we are going back home where our families are waiting for the food .Those who don’t send food home are likely to find their relatives dead. Sending money home is useless as there is no food to buy, ” said Mildred Ndlovu of Makhanddeni suburbs in Bulawayo.

Several Zimbabweans here told this paper that the food shortage is looming in Zimbabwe and the situation needs aid intervantion by the international comunity if people are to remain alive.