The Mbare Fresh Produce Market in Harare is set to open tomorrow state media reports. The development comes after the President intervened to allow farmers to bring food into urban areas.
The development is likely to have been sparked by scenes in Mutare where the Zimbabwe Republic Police burnt fresh produce which they confiscated from farmers. The incident did not sit well with Mnangagwa who included farm produce sales issues in his address to the nation.
Impact on fight against coronavirus
The move is likely to hamper the efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus if not implemented properly. Social distancing is the most effective way of reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus and opening the Mbare market can go against such efforts.
The law enforcement agents haven’t spoken to the public about how they intent to administer the market. Another potential problem is transport to Mbare. The authorities are supposed to provide dedicated Zupco buses from suburbs to Mbare and back in order for the move to be effective since buses are not allowed in town