CHAOTIC scenes were witnessed at the market place in
Bulawayo yesterday as it was teeming with people, mostly vendors who jostled to
buy fresh produce.
It took police and soldiers to maintain law and order as
people wrestled each other during the commotion, which was witnessed by a
Chronicle news crew.
Long winding queues were the order of the day as people
from all walks of life thronged various fruit and vegetable shops. In some
shops, elderly persons could be seen pleading with shop employees to get first
preference.
Anti-riot police and soldiers kept a close eye as they
continually monitored the potentially volatile situation characterised by an
exchange of harsh words, particularly from vendors who accused each other of
attempting to jump queues during the melee.
Market places had been closed when the lockdown came into
effect last week on Monday but reopened following a directive by President
Mnangagwa that farmers should bring their produce to the markets during the
lockdown period without hindrance, so as to feed the nation.
When a Chronicle news crew visited selected fruit and
vegetable suppliers, security personnel comprising ZRP and ZNA members were
having a torrid time as they tried to control long winding queues punctuated by
chaotic scenes as people failed to maintain social distancing.
People who spoke to Chronicle were generally excited
following the decision by Government to reopen the market place.
“The reopening of the market is good news for us
considering that unscrupulous traders were capitalising on the situation to
charge exorbitant prices for basic commodities like tomatoes and vegetables,”
said Ms Nomatter Ndlovu.
A Chronicle news crew observed that although shop
attendants were hand sanitising customers at the entrance, hygienic standards
were not being maintained as evidenced
by rotten tomatoes, vegetables and banana peels strewn all over the area.
“I came early in the morning and joined the queue to buy
tomatoes for resale. There was commotion as everyone jostled to buy. Police and
soldiers really assisted in maintaining order although the principle of social
distancing isn’t practicable,” said Zaniah Sibanda of Pumula East.
Another resident, Mr Ronald Sibanda said the elderly were
not getting preferential treatment in terms of queues.
“I am here intending to buy ginger and garlic, which I use
for health purposes, but now am forced to queue despite my old age and with the
issue of Corona virus, we are more susceptible, especially taking into
consideration that the issue of social distancing is not being practised in
such a public place,” he said.
A vendor, Ms Dorcas Rwodzi said there was a need for shop
owners to maintain hygienic standards in light of Covid-19.
A shop attendant at Fresh Route Fruit and Vegetables, who
declined to be named said they are allowing a limited number of customers at a
given time.
“Customers are getting inside the shops in small numbers as
we’re trying to limit the numbers and maintaining social distancing as part of
measures to curb the spread of Covid-19,” he said
The Chronicle news crew also visited Willsgrove, Sizani
Fruit and Vegetables and Lee Market and noticed that there were queues with
people failing to adhere to the principle of social distancing.
In Gwanda and Gweru, market places were still closed
yesterday. In Victoria Falls, vegetable vendors were back to their
vending stalls.
The municipality disinfected the three vegetable markets
namely Mkhosana Shopping Centre, Old Market and Chinotimba yesterday morning
before vendors could occupy them.
A snap survey around the markets showed that some vendors
had started selling outside the stalls.
Some tippy taps, which are hand washing devices made up of
a water container suspended on a horizontal pole and tied to a pedal using a
string which when tipped by foot, releases water for one to wash hands, had
been set up at the markets’ entry points.
Hwange District Medical Officer Dr Fungai Mvura said a
limited number of vendors will be allowed to maintain the recommended social
distancing.
“Yes we met with the residents association and the
municipality was tasked to sanitise the stalls while vendors themselves must
have sanitisers at any given time. The vendors are not supposed to go to the
market at once but will give each other chances by way of rotating so that the
stalls are not congested,” said Dr Mvura.
Combined Victoria Falls Residents Association (Vifacora)
chairman Mr Morgen Gazza Dube urged the informal traders to abide by health
guidelines.
“While essential service providers like shops remained
open, vegetable markets are no exception as they provide similar services which
are even more affordable to the ordinary citizens.
“We have engaged authorities and I therefore urge vegetable
vendors to return to their stalls. However, we are all reminded to guard
against the spread of Covid-19 and sell only on designated vegetable markets,
provide sanitary material and maintain social distancing between stalls and
customers,” he said. Chronicle
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