Zimbabwe: Protestors Demand Affordable Food

6 August 2007

Cape Town — Hundreds of members of a Zimbabwe civic organisation held a peaceful demonstration over food supplies and prices in Sakubva, in the city of Mutare today.

The demonstration targeted a local supermarket, demanding affordable food on the shelves and an end to shortages.

The protestors said in a statement that they delivered an open letter to business owners and the ministers of industry and commerce and home affairs, demanding "meaningful economic reforms rather than the unthinking slashing of prices."

The group then marched through Sakubva township, where it said "numbers almost doubled as excited residents rushed to join." It said police were seen in the area but there were no reports of arrests.

The protest was organised by Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise, which claims a countrywide membership of more than 35,000. A week ago, members of the group held similar protests in 11 areas of Bulawayo, the country's second biggest city.

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