National

Hunger stalks food insecure Matabeleland North

Published

3 years ago

July 30, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Poor rural households in drought-ravaged Matabeleland North have already exhausted their food stocks and are resorting to eating wild roots to survive.

Although most parts of Zimbabwe received above average rainfall, in some parts of Matabeleland the 2020/21 season was poor.

Mollen Mpofu, 49-year-old widow said she was foraging for wild roots to feed her chidren.

Mpofu said they identify edible roots with help from members of the San community, who still survive on hunting and gathering.

“I cook porridge in the morning and for the day, we dig isadenda (a tuber),” she said. “This has become our way of life.”

“We did not reap anything last season because of heavy rains, which are not suitable for our type of soils.

“We were also affected by wild animals like elephants and buffalos that encroach into our fields.”

Maize meal is readily available at the local shops, but Mpofu said she cannot afford the US$7 for a 10 kg bag.

“Even though it is available, some of us still struggle to get the money to buy the mealie mealie,” Mpofu said

The department of Social Welfare says 87 000 people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Tshololotsho.

It is currently offering assistance to about 57 000 villagers that are already in the beneficiaries database in the form of money transfers and non-governmental organisations have also chipped in.

Priority is being given to those with special needs and orphans.

A local aid worker told VicFallsLive they had established that over 60 percent of Matabeleland North’s population of around 750 000 were food insecure.

“We have done some research in readiness for food (aid) distribution and some people are literally going for days without food and there is a high risk of malnutrition,” he said.

“Some are now surviving on wild fruits and eating wild roots. The situation could be dire.”

Daisy Chuma (34) from Mabale village in Hwange said her family’s family grain reserves were now depleted.

“We had only managed to stock two drums of sorghum and millet and l have no idea how we are going to see ourselves throughout the year,” Chuma said.

Sifiso Ngulube from Manomano village in Nkayi said he was not able to grow any crops last season because of poor health.

“The rains were abundant, but how can one manage to do farming when they are handicapped and without capital requirements needed?

“So we are not yet sure how the year is going to look like because already we are struggling with these four children, eating wild fruits like umwawa and umkhemeswane,” Ngulube said.

According to the United States-based Famine Early Warning Network (FewsNet), Matabeleland North province recorded food deficits during the 2020/21 agriculture season despite good rains.

FewsNet warned that from October through to January 2022, food security outcomes in some worse-off typical deficit-producing areas in parts of Masvingo, Matabeleland North and South, Manicaland, and Midlands provinces would deteriorate.

Joseph Phiri, a Hwange strategist focusing on hunger and poverty alleviation in the district said there was need for establishment of irrigation and goats rearing projects to assist impoverished communities especially in Hwange East and Central constituencies.

Phiri said this could be done through state or Diaspora funding.

National

Bulawayo businessman takes own life

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2025

VicFallsLive

Picture: ZimLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Tragedy struck in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park on Saturday, when a 36-year-old businessman John Madzikatire took his own life by shooting himself.

According to a police statement, the incident occurred around 9:30 pm on an unnamed dust road, where a motorist stumbled upon Madzikatire’s lifeless body lying next to his Mercedes Benz vehicle.

The vehicle was still idling with its lights on and the driver’s door wide open.

Madzikatire was found in a pool of blood, bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head, with no signs of life.

A pistol was discovered under his right knee, and it’s suspected that he shot himself in the head from the left side, with the bullet exiting from the right side.

A search of the vehicle revealed an army green bag containing a substantial amount of cash: $5,122 USD, 20,719 South African Rand, and $24 Zimbabwean dollars. The body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem examination.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating the incident and encourages the public to seek help when facing challenges. “We urge people to engage with others and seek counseling from community leaders and professional counselors rather than resorting to taking their own lives,” said Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, Press and Public Relations Officer for Bulawayo Province.

National

Vic Falls road crisis: Motorists slam “undrivable” highway

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The once-thriving Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway has become a nightmare for motorists, with many labeling it “undrivable” due to its deplorable state.

As we drove through the Hwange area, close to Dete, Lubimbi Turn and Lupane, we witnessed firsthand the treacherous conditions that have left drivers frustrated and fed up.

The road is riddled with potholes, gullies, and mud-filled craters, forcing many to abandon the main road and opt for a dusty, makeshift alternative.

In some areas close to Lupane, villagers have taken it upon themselves to fix the road using the ordinary soils. This is usually done by the children and women.

“I’ve been driving for over 20 years, but this road is the worst I’ve ever seen,” said Thomas Moyo, a truck driver who frequently travels the route. “It’s like they’ve abandoned us. We’re forced to create our own paths, but even those are becoming increasingly difficult to navigate.”

Another motorist, Sarah Ndlovu, expressed her disappointment and concern for safety. “It’s not just the damage to our vehicles; it’s the risk of accidents and injuries. I’ve seen cars stuck in the potholes , and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.”

The poor state of the road is also affecting travel times, with some motorists reporting journeys that take up to 10 hours to cover a stretch of 400 kilometers.

“It’s unacceptable,” said James Dube, a tourist operator. “This road leads to one of the world’s most iconic tourist attractions, and yet it’s in shambles. We need urgent attention to fix this road and restore our country’s reputation.”

However, in a recent statement, the government announced plans to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway this year.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, a significant allocation of funds has been set aside for the project, which is expected to commence in the coming months.

While this news has brought some relief to motorists, many remain skeptical, citing previous unfulfilled promises. “We’ve heard it all before,” said Moyo. “We’ll believe it when we see it.”

As the situation continues to deteriorate, motorists are calling on authorities to take immediate action to repair and maintain the highway.

With the peak tourist season approaching, it remains to be seen whether the government will follow through on its promises and restore the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway to its former glory.

National

Cyclone Chido moves away from Zimbabwe

Published

1 month ago

December 16, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

According to the latest updates from the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), Tropical Cyclone Chido has made landfall in Mozambique, approximately 35-40km south of Pemba, in Cabo Delgado Province.

The intense tropical cyclone brought heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds of up to 220km/h, causing widespread destruction in Mozambique. The system is expected to continue tracking west-southwest towards Malawi, steadily dissipating.

Zimbabwe, which was initially predicted to be in the cyclone’s path, has been spared the worst of the storm.

However, neighboring countries, including Malawi, are expected to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds over the next 72 hours.

The SHOC has issued a multi-hazard impact-based classification, warning of expected impacts, including strong gusts, heavy rainfall, and rough seas, in Mozambique, Malawi, and other parts of the region.

Member states have been urged to closely monitor official weather updates, intensify public awareness campaigns, and preposition relief supplies to enable a swift response to the cyclone’s impact.