CHENGETAI ZVAUYA
Players in Zimbabwe’s informal sector are feeling the pinch of the new lockdown measures imposed by the government following an exponential rise in Covid-19 infections in the country, it has emerged.
National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe (NAVUZ) president, Sten Zvorwadza, told Business Times this week that players in the sector have been hit hard by the month-long restrictions and are finding it hard to bring food on their tables as they have been classified as non-essential service providers.
Consequently, they have been banned from carrying out their daily activities.
Government has, however, allowed the formal sector to operate between 8 am to 3 pm.
Zvorwadza told Business Times this week that NAVUZ has approached the government to open the sector under strict conditions.
“Our members survive on buying and selling their goods and wares in the informal sector.
But, since the lockdown began, we are facing hard times as the sector is their source of living,” Zvorwadza said.
He added: “We would welcome a situation where the government can allow us to operate under strict conditions rather than to be closed completely.”
Since last year, Zimbabwe has recorded more than 22 000 cases of Covid-19, more than 13 000 recoveries and more than 500 deaths.
