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yesterday.
The PM made the remarks at Maglas Stadium during commemorations to mark World Health Day.
The commemorations are running under the theme: “Ageing and Health. Good Health Adds Life to Years.”
Zimbabwe is facing a food deficit of almost one million tonnes as a result of poor rains experienced this farming season.
“There are problems here in Zvishavane. The first one being food shortages,” said PM Tsvangirai.
“As I was coming here, I noticed along the way that there are food challenges. Government yesterday in Cabinet resolved to declare certain provinces disaster areas.
“These are Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South.”
PM Tsvangirai said Government will ensure that no person starved.
“We want people to have food so that they do not die of hunger,” he said.
“We have food in the strategic grain reserves and what is left is for it to be ferried to those areas (which experienced drought).”
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made on Thursday said Zimbabwe will suffer food shortages as a result of drought.
“Forty five percent of maize that was planted this season is a write-off,” said Minister Made.
He said the country had 600 000 tonnes of maize in stocks but these needed to be complemented by imports.
The country consumes 2,2 million tonnes of maize annually.
PM Tsvangirai said the closure of Shabanie-Mashava Mines was a major concern for Government and assured residents that efforts were underway to revive the asbestos mines.
“We are at a mine, this mine of Zvishavane whose closure has caused destitution to families that used to work here,” he said.
“I want to assure you that Government wants the mine to be reopened. This is the only asbestos mine and we are also concerned with the welfare of workers.”
Government, through its mining arm the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, took over the Shabanie-Mashava Mines in a bid to revive their operations.
ZMDC has since started paying workers part of their outstanding salaries.
But Government efforts to revive operations at the asbestos mines are being frustrated by businessman Mr Mutumwa Mawere who is challenging the takeover in the courts.
Mr Mawere argues that the mines belong to him and blames their collapse on the Government.
PM Tsvangirai condemned the Government’s indigenisation and empowerment programme, declaring that he will not support any policy he claimed was destroying employment.
“It would be remiss of me to leave this podium without addressing the sad loss of jobs in this town,” he said.
“While Mimosa and other mines have accommodated some workers made redundant by the closure of Shabanie-Mashava Mines, job creation is imperative in this town.
“My priority as your Prime Minister is job creation. Jobs, jobs, jobs must be the watchword for any caring government, unfortunately policy discord has resulted in shrinkage of job opportunities rather than their expansion.
“Any policy that destroys jobs and investment prospects will not have my support.
But any policy that creates jobs is good for the people of Zimbabwe.”
Online Reporter