Spare a thought for poor – Mutare mayor tells business

Mutare(New Ziana) – Mutare mayor Blessing Tandi on Thursday implored the local business community to consider the plight of vulnerable people in their pricing, moreso now during Covid-19 when most had no source of income.

Since the declaration of the Covid-19 lockdown by government to curb the spread of the disease, many local business people have taken advantage to hike prices of basic goods beyond the reach of many.

Government has since warned businesses against wanton price increases, saying those caught risked their licences being revoked.

Mayor Tandi said this during the handover of Covid 19 donations to elderly people in Sakubva by The Goods Deeds Day Movement.

The GDD is a global movement that unites people from businesses, Non Governmental Organizations, schools, individuals, government and churches in doing good for the benefit of the less privileged and the planet.

The donated hampers to elderly people comprised of mealie meal, cooking oil, rice and flour.

“The situation is dire in (the) community and some businesses are taking advantage of the Covid 19 induced lockdown to charge exorbitant prices on some basic commodities, thus impacting on the vulnerable citizens,” said Tandi.

He said as a local authority, they were humbled by GDD’s support for the elderly, and urged the local business community to emulate the gesture.

“We are very humbled by this gesture. Assisting the less privileged, particularly the elderly in society, is not a responsibility of the local authority alone but all stakeholders in the community,” he said.

Tandi also said social welfare support is one of the city council’s key result area, and it was strongly indebted to all stakeholders assisting in this area.

“We are grateful to GDD and other stakeholders who are helping the needy during these trying times,” Tandi said.

Among the beneficiaries were those above 65 years seen as most affected by the pandemic in terms of accessing basic service, food and medication.

GDD national coordinator, Lucia Nkomo said coronavirus has changed the art of living globally and this shift necessitates behavioural change towards the vulnerable population in communities.

“It’s no longer business as usual, the deadly novel virus has brought confusion and uncertainty in our midst and in such times, the elderly population are the most affected group which requires us to act swiftly,” said Nkomo.

He said GDD had a program to assist the most vulnerable and needy during the Covid 19 period.

“We will assist more than 1000 people in the entire city’s residential areas, and of course giving preference to the most needy. We are now in the process of assessing further community needs so that we help in our small way,” said Nkomo.

New Ziana