[Zimbabwe] where millionaires live in poverty

from Independent Online

The poverty line for a family of five living in Zimbabwe is now Z$20-million (about R1 200) a month, Harare's Herald newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Its website quoted the Central Statistical Office (CSO) as saying the average five-member Zimbabwe family had to spend at least Z$7,8-million a month on food to remain healthy.

This average family would need to spend just over another Z$12-million a month for accommodation, transport to get to and from work to earn this money, fees to educate children at the cheapest government schools, clothes and shoes.

There was no provision for any luxury or even a toy, the paper said, adding than inflation was running at 600 percent. In South Africa it is about four percent.

The minimum family income, just enough to live in frugal decency, went up by Z$3-million a month since December last year.

Even a single person required just over Z$4-million a month for food, housing and other basic expenses.

The Herald said those with incomes less than the poverty datum line were quite likely to be going hungry, living in very unhealthy housing or be inadequately dressed.