ICBTs hardest hit by COVID19

Informal Cross Border Traders (ICBTs) are saying that Zimbabwe lockdown period has greatly affected their businesses because there are no longer able to order wares from other countries.

Informal cross border trading plays a pivotal role in alleviating the high levels of unemployment in Zimbabwe, however due to the lock down period, informal traders now find it hard to make ends meet.

Preety Mpofu, a Cross border trader told Vendors Voice that as ICBTs, they are now using the capital of their businesses to purchase food stuffs for their families during lockdown.

“It is going to be a challenge for us to order wares after the lockdown because we are currently doing nothing, we are not selling anything hence we are now using our capital to purchase food’’, said Mpofu.

Mpofu further said that “we are under lockdown but we don’t have mealie meal, this lockdown is not here to protect us but it is here to kill us “.

 Some retailers have taken advantage of the corona pandemic, they have increased prices in their shops such that those without income cannot afford to purchase basic commodities for survival during lockdown.

Madade Ndlovu told Vendors Voice that the lockdown will permanently destroy their only means and hope for survival.

A vendor known as Siphathi said that their challenge at Pumula is that they are failing to sell the little that they have because of the lock down.

It disappointing that the cushioning fund that was promised by the government to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and informal traders at the beginning of April, 2020 has not been disbursed yet and the month of April has come to an end. Vendors and informal traders are now doubting the sincerity of government on the fund.

3 thoughts on “ICBTs hardest hit by COVID19”

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