4 September 2020

*Wezhira Munya and Kimberley Tariro Mamhende*

MDC Alliance ward 13 shadow councillor in Mwenezi East, Mr Martin Taruona said, “Mwenezi residents in ward 13 and other wards are experiencing massive hunger due to drought, high unemployment and high costs of basic commodities.”

ZANU PF Mwenezi East ward 13 councillor Mudavose could not be reached for comment.

Residents in ward 13, Mwenezi East where displaced from Tokwe Mkosi area.

Ward 13 is in Chigwizi area.

In Mwenezi East most basic commodities such as mealie-meal, cooking oil, sugar, salt are being sold in forex. However, most people in Mwenezi East earn their salaries in Zimbabwean Rtgs. As a result, most residents in Mwenezi are failing to purchase basic commodities.

One ward 13 resident said, “We kindly appeal to the Government and donors to assist us with food aid.”

One resident said, “The government relocated us to this area. Now, we are dying due to hunger. Government is are not giving us any help.”

Another resident said, “We voted for Zanu PF member of Parliament Mr Joosb Omar and ZANU PF councillor Mr Mudovose and President Munangangwa but they have neglected us. We urgently need food aid before we die with hunger.”

Some under aged girls and women are engaging in prostitution in order to get food.