Calvin Manika
INFORMAL traders in Hwange continue to feel the effects of Covid-19 owing to the extended lockdown regulations.
As part of the regulation measures by government to contain the spread of the pandemic, intercity travels were banned. This has however left residents here who normally restock in Bulawayo and Harare struggling for survival.
“I operate an IT accessories shop, so mainly my products come from Harare. I used to go to Harare on a fortnight basis but since the ban of intercity travel, I have been struggling to meet the demands of my customers,” said Abel Ncube.
Gerald Dube of Empumalanga, DRC section said he was vaccinated and hoped that the same golden hand extended to the churches last week by the government should be extended to the transport industry.
“I didn’t want the vaccine for Covid-19, but, I realised that it was the new normal and maybe things can start working. I travel a lot between Bulawayo and Hwange for restocking. Churches have opened, the government must relax the intercity travel ban and enforce the regulations, so that we can continue with our business without risking travelling in haulage trucks,” said Dube.
Another resident who plies her trade in Empumalanga as a vendor Mildred Shoko narrated how they used to go to farms in Nyamandlovu, to buy in bulk cucumbers, potatoes, cabbages, butternuts and other fruits for resale.
“Hwange is a dry place, so it was a business for us and made the lives of people easier as we could access fresh vegetables. We used a train as transport; it was cheap for both passengers and our goods. But, now since the ban of public transport, both road and rail transport is banned to our disadvantage,” said Shoko
Speaking to The Zambezi Times Passengers Association of Zimbabwe President Tafadzwa George Goriati has bemoaned the monopoly of ZUPCO buses.
“The government should open the transport sector to all players, both ZUPCO and private. Passengers are struggling to travel from one city to another even those who are travelling for essential services including seeking medication or attending funerals. ZUPCO has remained local during this lockdown level 4 affecting the masses that have pressing needs to attend in the other parts of the country,” he said.
