Harare — EQUATORIAL GUINEA has donated a consignment of 57 tonnes of drugs and water treatment chemicals to Zimbabwe to assist in the fight against cholera.

Equatorial Guinea Deputy Foreign Minister Mr Jose Esono Micha handed the first 40 tonnes of the consignment to Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora and the ministry's permanent secretary, Dr Gerald Gwinji, at Harare International Airport yesterday.

Mr Micha -- who earlier paid a courtesy call on President Mugabe at Zimbabwe House and delivered a special message from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo -- flew into Harare with the consignment yesterday.

He said after reports that Zimbabwe had been hit by a cholera outbreak, Equatorial Guinea felt obliged to assist Harare as a friend.

"I was sent by President Nguema with a message to President Mugabe. At the same time I have brought some humanitarian aid to use against this cholera burden," said Mr Micha.

The second batch of 17 tonnes is expected in Harare in two days' time.

Dr Mombeshora expressed Zimbabwe's gratitude for the donation, which he said would help at a time the number of new daily cholera cases had gone down.

"The consignment has been brought at the right time, we are still battling cholera and the consignment will assist in a great way," Dr Mombeshora said.

He said sporadic cases had been reported in Harare and Chegutu but Government was convinced these could be brought under control.

Dr Mombeshora said the return to work by health staff, who had gone on strike, would also assist in bringing the epidemic under control.