Manicaland ignores stay-away call, business as usual

 

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

RESIDENTS of Manicaland have expressed scepticism towards calls for stay-away protests against Government, viewing them as outdated.
The call for an indefinite stay-away was met with mockery and utter disregard in Mutare, Rusape, Nyanga, Buhera, Chipinge, Mutasa and Chimanimani.

It was business as usual, with people reporting for duty at their various workplaces, and social activities continuing uninterrupted.

The Sakubva Bus Terminus in Mutare was a hive of activity, with people boarding buses to various destinations, while vendors did brisk business selling their wares.

At Mwamuka Vegetable Farmers Market, vendors from different suburbs packed the market, buying produce from farmers for resale at their stalls.

All shops in the provincial capital were open and operating as usual.

Business at Forbes Border Post continued uninterrupted, with cross-border traders and haulage trucks moving freely in and out of the country.

Schoolchildren attending holiday lessons at different centres moved about without any hindrance. No scenes of violence or coercion were reported.

Mr Stephen Chochi of Zimta Park said: “I think Blessed Geza was misguided in calling for an indefinite stay-away. Look, most people are running their own businesses, and telling them to stay away means that they are deprived of potential monetary profits.

“Fast forward two weeks later, the same people you expect to take heed of your call for an indefinite stay-away want money to pay for school fees and rentals. That really does not make sense to me,” he said.

Mrs Miriam Mhlanga of Sakubva said: “The idea of a stay-away is a failed strategy. It does not work in our environment. We need to work for our families. We have bellies and families to feed, and therefore we cannot just stay at home just like that.

“Furthermore, how can a sane person walk into a supermarket and expect to be given grocery without paying anything. Zimbabweans must be careful, lest we end listening to people high on drugs,” she said.

“I am shocked and disappointed that some individuals are calling for a stay-away, with a view to disrupt the livelihoods of hardworking Zimbabweans,” said Mrs Chido Chikumba, a business owner in Rusape.

“As someone who employs several people in my small enterprise, I know first-hand the importance of keeping our businesses open and thriving. A stay-away only serves to hurt our economy and punish innocent citizens. We need to focus on building our country, not tearing it down. I urge everyone to ignore this misguided call and continue with their daily activities. Let us show the world that we are resilient and committed to moving forward, not backward,” she added.