School children go back home on empty stomachs after attending Mugabe's birthday celebrations

Speaking to NewZimbabwe.com, Former Education Minister David Coltart confirmed that school children from around the country travelled back home on empty stomachs after attending President Robert Mugabe’s 93^rd birthday celebrations in Matopos.

Said Coltart:

I am reliably informed by a cabinet minister who attended the event that there was insufficient food for the attendees and I fear that many of the school children who returned back to their places on Saturday night had insufficient food. If this is in fact the case, then that is in itself an appalling abuse of these children’s fundamental rights.

A parent who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com on condition of anonymity, claimed that her child nearly fainted because of hunger. Said the parent:

My child left Mutare with other delegates on Friday morning. I hear they were not given any thing the whole day on Saturday. They also traveled back on empty stomachs on Saturday night. The pupils were forced to share the few items which those who had money bought.

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Coltart also expressed concern over the closure of Matebeleland schools for the birthday party as well as the transportation of school children during the night.

More: NewZimbabwe.com