The Chronicle, a state-run publication in Zimbabwe has called upon the local industry to increase production warning that the lockdown in neighbouring South Africa will likely worsen the economic and humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.
This comes when South Africa starting last night implemented a 21-day lockdown that will see some of the businesses closed.
The publication rightly observes that most of retails in Zimbabwe depend on imports from South Africa therefore closure of businesses would mean low supply when the demand is already high. Part of the article reads:
The retailers who used to rely on imports should be able to switch to local producers for their stocks hence the need for local manufacturers to increase production. There is need to urgently increase production of basic commodities such as mealie- meal to avoid the long queues at retail outlets that are putting people at risk as they cannot maintain social distancing.
This comes when the local industry is and has for long been in a parlous state. The Chronicle predicts anarchy and anguish if at some point Zimbabwe is to implement a lockdown considering that there is not enough for citizens to stock.
More: The Chronicle