Villagers dying from starvation in Silobela

While Robert Mugabe is downplaying the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe, we have received reports that there are people dying from hunger in the Midlands province. 2 children allegedly died from hunger in Silobela three weeks ago. It’s reported that people in that area have resorted to eating mujumbura (roots) as there is virtually no food in the Midlands North.

An MDC Information Officer for the province, who prefers to remain anonymous, said some members of the Zebron family who live in the Dambridge area of Silobela were rushed to hospital when they fell ill as a result of having no other diet except for tree roots. 3 family members survived except for 2 children, Jabson and Sandiso Zebron. Their funeral was attended by the MDC MP for Kwekwe Blessing Chebundo.

Areas worst affected are Chiundura, Mbizo, Zhombe, Sanyati and Gokwe. Most people who are in these areas are victims of ‘Operation Murambatsvina” and they are living in the bushes. The MDC Information officer alleges that some ZANU PF councillors are still politicising the little amount of food that is being distributed.

He said Robert Mugabe’s recent utterances at the United Nations summit outraged many people. Mugabe told journalists that people are not hungry in Zimbabwe, they just don’t want to eat other foods like potatoes. The information officer said only those who can afford it buy potatoes and rice. But these people are in the minority because potatoes are so expensive they are a luxury. A 2kg bag of rice costs Z$ 175 000, and bread Z$ 32 000.

Like most parts of the country there is no fuel in Midlands North, and people spent the last 2 days queuing for basic commodities like sugar in Kwekwe.