Husband and Wife die of hunger in Esigodini

From Themba Nkosi in Esigodini
13 January 2006

Hunger has claimed another life in drought stricken Matabeleland South province.The latest death occured at Vulindlela village about 65 km south-east of Bulawayo in Nswazi reserve.

According to health officials at Esigodini, the latest victim, Lyzie Moyo died of severe malnutrition after failing to get food. The woman’s death comes five weeks after her husband, Sinini Ncube died of starvation.

Villagers at Nswazi blamed the woman’s death on ZANU-PF and village heads who deny suspected opposition supporters food.

The people of Nswazi which falls under Umzingwane constituency, are facing serious food shortages. They have not received relief food since August last year. A senior official of Umzingwane Rural District Council said that people were dying in the rural areas because of dirty politics practised by government, ruling party officials and councillors.

The official who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal said hundreds of villagers in Umzingwane were starvingNcube and his wife did not get any assistance from the social welfare department and he was a known member of the MDC. Lyzie Moyo was buried at her village Friday. Church leaders from Bulawayo paid for the funeral expenses.

According to the Mzingwane Rural District Council more than 200 000 people in the constituency urgently need food supplies. Nswazi, which is one of the worst affected villages, is the rural home of Matabeleland South Governor, Angeline Masuku. The Governor could not be reached for comment.