Crisis forces Zimbabweans to buy food in Mozambique

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Crisis forces Zimbabweans to buy food in Mozambique

1:32 CAT | 20 Dec 2018

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In File CoM

Traders from Beira and Chimoio satisfied.

The number of Zimbabweans crossing the border in search of food in Mozambique has risen sharply following the opposition’s disputed elections this year.

Data revealed to the VOA on Wednesday by the migration authorities of Manica, central Mozambique, indicate that the number of Zimbabweans crossing Machipanda, the main land border, has grown by 20 per cent to source food.

Between 1 July and 15 December 2018, 286,166 people crossed the Machipanda border, with 183,504 Zimbabweans – 36,701 more than in the homologous period of 2017 – looking for basic food products in Mozambique, as well as clothing and shoes.

“This year we have seen a slight rise in the migratory movement of Zimbabweans in search of food,” said Jorge Machava, a spokesman for Manica’s migration.

Machava said that a large number of Zimbabweans have violated the border to introduce basic products such as maize flour, oil, rice, soap and electrical appliances to that neighbouring country.

This increase has pushed the commercial sector in the cities of Manica and Chimoio (Manica) and Beira (Sofala) to meet demand, but traders are satisfied with revenues.

In November, Zimbabwe’s immigration authorities introduced restrictions on the entry of quantities of food, mainly oil, rice and maize flour.

Zimbabwe has returned to “dark” times since a year ago, with inflation rising, partly as a result of the severe shortage of the US dollar, which runs parallel to the Zimbabwean bond.

In large cities like Harare and Mutare is notable the lack of fuel and medicines. In supermarkets, there are long queues even for the purchase of bread.

Source: VOA