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 4th of April 2020:
Chirumhanzu – Zibagwe – Community members in Ward 20 Mvuma and Ward 11 stayed in their homes today. Only one shop was open at Lynwood shopping centre. The other 6 shops were forced to close after community members complained about the way they were increasing their prices during the initial days of the lockdown. Police also allowed bars to sell liquor to community members on the basis that they will have to consume the liquor at home.
Mberengwa – Community members around Mberengwa centre are staying in their homes since the first day of the lockdown. Shops at the centre are opening from 0900 to 1400 hours.
Tsholotsho – By 1400 hours, Twelve Apostles Church members were gathering at the ground close to Sihazela Business Centre where they hold their church services. By the time they ended today’s service at around 1600 hours, the group had swelled to approximately 50 members after Gxhoboholo branch joined in.
Shamva – Most shops in Shamva closed at 1200 hours today. Vegetable vendors were also allowed to open their markets from 0600 to 0900 hours. However, at around 1000 hours, police dispersed community members who were moving around Temperary in Ward 24.
Bikita – Community members in Ward 15 stayed in their homes today. However, a group of men spent the whole day drinking opaque beer at Village Head Chizeura’s homestead, in Taruona Village. All shops at Silveira Mission Business Centre were closed.
Marondera – Soldiers moved around Marondera East constituency dispersing community members from shopping centres. They were spotted at Mhizha, Landos and Chipitiri business centres.
Mutoko – Community members from Mutoko centre spent the whole day queuing at TM Mutoko centre where they wanted to supplement their groceries. The queue did not observe the 1 metre distance requirement.
Norton – By 0830 hours, over 1000 community members from Norton were gathered at OK Katanga complex waiting to buy mealie-meal. Soldiers came at around 0900 but they only came out with bags of mealie-meal and left without even controlling the crowd. Police also fired tear smoke at illegal money changers who were gathering at Katanga at around 0900 hours.
Mazowe – Community members in Ward 11 stayed in their homes today. However, shop owners at Nyachuru business centre hiked their prices, taking advantage of the fact that most shops in Mazowe are closed. By end of day today, a 2kg of sugar was selling at ZWL$120.00 or US$3.50. Some shops were even refusing ZWL$ stating that they will lose value before the country lifts up the current lockdown and this may force them out of business.
Source: Heal Zimbabwe
