Heal Zimbabwe’s Early Warning and Early Response Situation Room is monitoring how communities are reacting to the national lockdown which was announced by the President on the 27th of March, 2020. Below are some of the reactions recorded today, the 3rd of April 2020:
Zaka – Over 100 community members from Jerera, Ward 19 were queued for mealie-meal at N. Richards and Flex Mart. However, police dispersed them at around 1300 hours stating that community members were failing to observe social distancing.
Masvingo – At around 1000 hours, soldiers moved around high density surburbs reinforcing the lockdown. They also instructed supermarkets in the CBD to close at 1300 hours. At around 1700 hours Police in riot gear violently dispersed community members who were moving along Chesvingo drive, linking Ward 3 and Ward 4.
Chipinge – Community members in ward 16 Chibuwe and Ward 27 Vheneka stayed in their homes. Only N.Richards was open at Checheche Growth Point. Community members from Ward 3 were receiving food aid at Mutema Primary School from GOAL. Community members who were receiving aid were gathered in the football ground, with at least a metre distance from one beneficiary to the other. All movements were being done observing the 1 metre distance recommendation.
Mutasa – At around 1300 hours, soldiers moved around the district instructing shops and bars to close. They were seen at Hauna, Mutasa DC, Watsomba and other wards. Community members took hid of the lockdown.
Buhera – Community members from Ward 33 Buhera South were receiving food aid at Birchenough Bridge Primary School. Community members were observing the 1 metre distance rule and this was being reinforced by ZRP Support Unit. The aid was from World Vision.
Murehwa – Community members around Murehwa township are staying in their homes. All shops at the township opened from 0800 to 1500 hours. However, at around 1300 hours, police were deployed to disperse community members who were beginning to gather around the township. They also instructed all shops to close at 1200 hours.
Gutu – Community members around Mupandawana Growth Point are staying in their homes. Today, the community received information that some individuals were compiling names for the aid which the government recently announced. However, community members were not clear who was tasked to compile the names and the criteria for selecting beneficiaries.
Mbire – Community members in Mbire-Mushumbi Growth Point stayed in their homes. Police moved around Mushumbi Growth Point ensuring that community members do not loiter around.
Chivi – Community members stayed in their homes. However, community members in Ward 26 complained of local community members who were brewing opaque beer, providing platforms for people to meet in their numbers. Today, there was opaque beer in Chivindani village, and community members were drinking in groups.
Mutoko – At around 1500 hours, soldiers violently dispersed people who were loitering at Mutoko centre.
Tsholotsho – It was business as usual at Dlamini Business Centre. Fourteen out of 17 shops were open throughout the day and people were drinking beer in groups as usual. Most shops at Bayane and Sihazela Business Centres were closed, and they had just a few community members moving around them.
Source: Heal Zimbabwe
