Fears that famine looms over Zimbabwe

MORE than two million people in rural Zimbabwe will need food aid in the next year, according to a new report.

The survey, carried out in April, contradicts the government of Zimbabwe’s claim that the country will be able to feed itself.

President Robert Mugabe has forecast a bumper harvest despite controversial land reforms.

But a report from the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) says 2.3m rural people will need food aid this year.

Along with the UN and other aid agencies, the Zimbabwean government sits on the committee, contradicting its own claims to self-sufficiency.

Combined with the results of a previous ZimVAC report on urban areas, it means a total of almost five million Zimbabweans will need assistance this year.

A UN World Food Programme team was recently prevented from assessing the crop in Zimbabwe, resulting in claims the country was trying to cover up a disappointing harvest.

There have also been allegations from the opposition party that food aid could be used for political gain in next year’s parliamentary elections.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe state prosecutors said 70 suspected mercenaries detained on charges of plotting to topple the government of Equatorial Guinea would go on trial on July 19.

The men, all South African citizens, were arrested in March after their plane landed in Harare en route to what Zimbabwe officials said was a mission to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.

The suspects have denied the charges, saying they were heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo to guard mining operations.