There is anxiety, excitement and fear in Zimbabwe as Citizens start selling their toes to sustain the high cost of living in the country. The business is booming with long queues experienced all over due to the guaranteed payment of $40,000 per big toe.
The toes are bought for ritual money. Those buying them will sell to witchdoctors who in return use them to earn huge amount of money from businesses and politicians who want instant success in whatever they do.
According to a reliable source, a small toe costs $20,000 while the big toe goes for as high as $40,000.People are willing to sell all the toes for them to become rich. One of the residents said while answering to questions from journalists, “I don’t care where I lose all the toes as long as I become rich and buy whatever I want.Otherwise,what has my toes helped me all this time?”
“quick and easy money”. The most popular motive, according to many “Ximex Boys” is “to be able to buy a Toyota GD6 truck” which has an estimated price of USD$25k-$70k. This has caused a major shock in the CBD of Harare where most “big boys in town” are left with less or no toes at all, depending on your “passion for money”
Those who have sold their toes claim that big toe (US$40 000), middle toe (US$25 000) and small toe (US$10 000) are the real prices.
Some say this is work of a cult, who demand the toes in exchange for 10 years’ riches, but one will lose a relative along the way.
Other claims are that, after agreeing to have a toe cut off, no other person must see the leg.
A close source at Ximex claims the story is just something which one guy jokingly shared with his colleagues and has now been blown out of proportion.
“I can’t really deny or confirm such activity at Ximex Mall but what I have gathered is that this whole issue was blown out of proportion after a few guys shared it as a joke.
“Yes, some of the latest cars that the dealers are driving are questionable, imagine seeing a guy who has been struggling to buy lunch for himself now cruising in a Mercedes Benz GL400 which costs US$200 000, you have questions,” said the source.
Other countries, like Kenya, are demanding to be included in the business. Kenyan citizens are willing to sell even all their toes as long as they move out of poverty.
