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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
THE Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development has identified 7 467 small scale registered businesses in Matabeleland South Province which have been affected by the ongoing 21-day lockdown.
The ministry is working with the Department of Social Welfare to create a database of affected businesses that will benefit under the $600 million Covid-19 fund from Government.
Presenting a report during a meeting here on Friday, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Matabeleland South provincial development officer, Ms Merjury Skhundla, said they have finished compiling statistics for the province.
“As the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development working with the Department of Social Welfare we were instructed to mobilise people in both the formal and informal sector including cooperatives who have been affected by the lockdown and we have since accomplished our goal,” she said.
“As we stand the provincial total is 7 467 individuals. Of these 2 306 are males and 5 161 females. In Beitbridge we identified 1 886 individuals, in Bulilima 575, in Gwanda 1 444, in Insiza 678, in Mangwe 1 234, in Matobo 885, and Umzingwane 765.”
President Mnangagwa announced the 21-day lockdown recently as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. During the period businesses that do not sell essentials have been instructed to remain closed. — @DubeMatutu
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