Zim cholera death toll tops 1,100

Mail & Guardian ^ | 2008-12-18

[Clive]

Zim cholera death toll tops 1 100

HARARE, ZIMBABWE Dec 18 2008 13:03

The death toll from a cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe has soared to 1,111, the United Nations said on Thursday, adding to pressure for a quick solution to the crisis in the Southern African country.

African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma backed a diplomatic push as the way to end political deadlock and rejected any suggestion of sending troops.

The latest cholera figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva included a new outbreak in Chegutu Urban in Mashonaland West, west of Harare, where more than 378 cases and 121 deaths have been recorded, it said in a statement.

It said more than 20,580 people had been affected by cholera since August.

The cholera epidemic has added to pressure on President Robert Mugabe, and Western countries have renewed calls on the veteran leader to step down.

Mugabe agreed to share power with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in September, raising hopes of a power-sharing government that could bring the country back from economic meltdown.

But negotiations are deadlocked over who should control key ministries.

Prominent figures, including Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, have called for Mugabe to go or for peacekeeping troops to be sent to Zimbabwe.

When asked in an interview with South Africa's 702 Talk Radio whether he favoured sending troops to Zimbabwe, ANC leader Zuma said: "No. Why military intervention when there is no war? We should be pressurising them to see the light."

[Clive]

This is the KNOWN death count. The actual figure has to be higher, especially in Zim where the government actively interferes with collection and reporting of information.

Also of concern is that the rains have just begun. The cholera outbreak will be exacerbated by the rains.

[Clive]

-

[laweeks]

Now, just how in the hell is this going to be blamed on Bush? Did he let this happen or something?

[nobama08]

How sad. This should not be happening.

[dynachrome]

I believe this is being blamed on the white Brit colonial racist types.

[Kackikat]

I heard on FoxNews that Rahm Emmanuel is vacationing in AFRICA over Christmas...but he is probably far away from Zim and the cholera. AFRICA? Kenya? Business and Pleasure? Just Christmas? Interesting that someone let that slip on Fox.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Let me know when you see the name Robert Mugabe on the list.

[Domandred]

But but Mugabe himself said there is no cholera problem in Zimbabwe.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Send in Jimmah Carter! Jimmah can save the righteous brother Mugabe and his folks from the White Man’s Cholera.

[TonyStark]

Obviously a case of not spreading the wealth around sufficiently to support a fair national health care service.

Maybe more Communism will help.

[UCANSEE2]

Thanks for posting the article.
And MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

---

“Mugabe agreed to share power with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in September, raising hopes of a power-sharing government that could bring the country back from economic meltdown.

But negotiations are deadlocked over who should control key ministries. “

---

Why does this sound so familiar?

[Cindy]

“This is the KNOWN death count.”

Incredibly sad and beyond words.

Why someone hasn’t removed Mugabe is beyond comprehension.

[Chode]

...AfricaWinsAgain

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

I think only prayer can help now. I don’t see anyone doing anything effective until well into 2009. And it’s all manmade! so unnecessary!