Gwanda (New Ziana)-Despite the Presidential directive to observe a 21-day lockdown in a move meant to prevent the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus, people coming from other districts thronged and camped in Gwanda district to harvest the mopane worms.
Mopane worms are in season and in abundance in and around Gwanda.
The lockdown, which began on Monday, is designed to minimise movement and physical interaction among citizens to contain the spread of Covid-19 that has infected over million people and killed over 50 000 worldwide.
Matabeleland South Provincial police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said most of those people were coming from Mberengwa, Mashava and Beitbridge.
“We have a big challenge at Gwanda farms where there are plenty of mapone trees. “People coming from all walks of life especially Beitbridge and Mberengwa districts rushed to the areas to harvest amacimbi.
“By so doing these people are compromising social distancing thereby likely to spread the virus in the event one or two of them is infected. However, as police we manged to displace hundreds of them on Wednesday afternoon,” said the police Spokesperson Chief Insp. Ndebele.
Gwanda mayor, Councillor Justine Mazhale said the issue was also discussed at length during the Provincial Developing Coordinating Committee meeting which includes security apparatus.
“The committee was told that people are camped at Chindeni, Makhawulasi and Timber farms were they are harvesting amacimbi. “Therefore the task force will go there to displace them.
Lockdown clearly states that there should be no unnecessary movements of both motorists and people.
“Those at neighbouring farms will be displaced while those coming from far away places, Zupco busses will be comandiered to ferry them back to their respective homes,” said the Mayor.
So far the country has recorded nine cases of Coronavirus and one death.
Several of those who were arrested for defying the lockdown were fined between $200 and $500.
Zimbabweans have been failing to appreciate the gravity of the pandemic that has devastated countries across the globe.
By not adhering to the stay-home instruction, people are endangering themselves and their loved ones as they could contract the virus and pass it on to those at home.
New Ziana