Thousands of villagers in Binga and Matobo districts have appealed for urgent food aid after most of their food crops succumbed to a long dry spell experienced in February.
“There is an urgent need for food aid in the area. There were poor harvests in the area because of the poor rainfall,” Chief Siachilaba of Binga in Matabeleland North told NewsDay over the weekend.
“We received seed from government, but some did not plant because of the scarcity of rains. “Those who planted did not harvest anything as their crops wilted due to moisture stress,” he said.
He said the situation was compounded by armed cross border cattle rustlers from Zambia, whom he claimed raided the villages and drove away large herds of cattle.
He said the alleged rustlers known as Kanjanis were armed with AK47 rifles.
“Those rustlers would raid each homestead and drive away eight herd of cattle,” the chief said. “Some of their victims were widows and child-headed families who have found it difficult to replace those cattle.
“My area was hardest hit because the part of Zambezi separating us from Zambia is a bit shallow, making it easier for the rustlers to drive the cattle across.
“We are happy that along the river, the police set up two bases that have put a stop to the criminal activity, but we appeal to the government to assist those families who are finding it hard to replace their cattle.”
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Meanwhile, councillors at Matobo Rural District Council in Matabeleland South said an estimated 108 000 villagers needed urgent food aid amid reports that humanitarian non-governmental organisations operating in the area had stopped food aid programmes.
“As we speak, 108 000 people are in urgent need of food and if nothing is done, the situation will be very serious soon,” said council chairperson Watchy Sibanda.
“We have written to the humanitarian organisations asking if they could revive the food programmes in any way they can.”
