By Obey Tererai Sithole MDC Youth Assembly National Chairperson

21 day lockdown as announced by Mr Mnangagwa appears to be a good idea in the interest of containing the spread of the deadly corona virus which is claiming lives worldwide, both young and old, tall and short, rich and poor etc.

In the wake of this crisis it is only logical to suggest a lockdown as an immediate measure to maximize on discipline amongst citizens and minimize the spread of the virus thereby saving the precious lives of citizens.

However, while the lockdown appears to be noble, in our Zimbabwean context it becomes a heavy blow to the same human life that ought to be saved.

It is an open secret that our joblessness reality reached alarming levels a long time ago and this has seen a greater chunk of young people resorting to informal trading as a way of survival, every dollar that comes in the pocket is a result of their hands on hustling.

Thus, a mere announcement that turns a blind eye to livelihood realities is just but a genocidal pronouncement, the young people may survive the virus but will certainly not survive the starvation and insolvency that awaits them for the coming 21 days.

We therefore urge the authorities, in their illegitimacy to put in place measures that will support people’s livelihood during this period.

On another note, knowing the barbaric behavior of most of our security services personnel, we are deeply concerned about lock down period, memories of the past sends shivers to many.

We have seen our sisters being raped in the past and people being mercilessly beaten, we therefore urge the officers not to take advantage of the lock down enforcement and reduce it to a period of serious human rights violations.

After all having been said, stay safe fellow youths, Zimbabwe still needs you after all this.

Obey T. Sithole
MDC National Youth Chairperson