69% of people in Matabeleland North use bush as toilets - Biti

The MDC Renewal Team Secretary general Tendai Biti said the level of poverty in Matabeleland North was still shocking 35 years after independence as 69% of the provincial population still use bush as toilets.

He was speaking during the Africa Day celebration organised by his party in Bulawayo.

He said Zimbabwe's leadership in the Zanu PF government has continued to marginalize the region to an extent that people fail to just own a toilet because of poverty which is culminated by the escalating unemployment.

"69% of the people in Matabeleland North still use bush as toilets yet we say Africa has been liberated," said Biti.

He challenged the government to uplift the lives of people and ensure that there is creation of employment.

The unemployment rates in Zimbabwe is estimated to be close to 90% while quite the largest population of Zimbabwe's working class has turned into street vending for survival.