31 Mar 2020

North East District Council bye-law office has expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance to COVID-19 precautions displayed by businesses in the district.

In an interview with the NEDC principal state counsel, Mr Eric Botshelo, during the district patrols over the weekend, he said the objective of the operation was to monitor closure of liquor outlets and also check if businesses acted in accordance with the COVID-19 health precautionary measures.

He stated that during the patrols in all the 43 villages in the district, they ensured liquor outlets complied with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry directive, which called for suspension of sale of liquor for 30 days effective March 28.

He indicated that the bye-law officers closely monitored hair salons, churches, sport grounds and any public gathering space, of which only one church in

Themashanga was found with over 15 people convened in a home to worship, but were ordered to disperse.

Mr Botshelo expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance displayed by shopping outlets from general dealers, supermarkets and hardware stores; which were said to be providing sanitisers and hand washing soap water for all customers accessing their outlets.

However, he alluded that a big retail supermarket in Masunga was experiencing an overflow of people, who had embarked on bulk shopping, which had resulted in customers queuing long hours outside the shop.

He observed that the supermarket had complied with regulations to provide hand washers and floor markings for one to two metres social distancing in the shop. He however said, the biggest challenge was that people were failing to maintain a metre distance while queuing outside.

Therefore, he highlighted that it was upon every individual who went shopping to make it a point that they maintain social distancing as a afety precaution amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Botshelo further noted that still in Masunga, there was a butchery that offered customers free millie-meal and fireplace to braai purchased meat, hence attracting unwanted crowds.

He indicated that there was a case in Patayamatebele where people brewed traditional beer in the compound, which also attracted large crowds.

He said the butchery was ordered to stop setting up the fireplace in order to avoid people gathering at the place while the traditional brew was disposed and the perpetrator ordered to desist from brewing beer.

Tshesebe Police Station commander, Superintendent Amos Kekgathetse reiterated in an interview that the majority of shopping outlets were complying with health precautions of washing and sanitising hands and also controlling the number of customers who entered their premises.

Supt Kekgathetse indicated that even combis and buses operating along the A1 highway were maintaining public distancing by leaving a seat between passengers, which he said was a noble gesture from public transporters.

However, Supt Kekgathetse said they had received complaints that children gathered at sport grounds to play when parents were at work.

He commended neighbourhood watch committees for assisting the police by dispersing children from grounds.

He highlighted that with the lockdown order in Zimbabwe, the police would be able to monitor movements intently as there would not be any arrivals or departures at Ramokgwebana border except for truck drivers delivering essential services. ENDS