POLICE have, as per their recent warning, increased the number of roadblocks in the country – stopping and sending back both motorists and passengers in Zupco buses without a good reason to be on the roads.

This comes as more than 1 500 people have been arrested and made to pay fines for violating the tough measures that were recently introduced by the government, as part of measures aimed at ensuring compliance with the 21-day lockdown imposed by authorities.

In Bulawayo yesterday, hordes of bus passengers without letters of authorisation were forced to drop off at the roadblocks and ordered to return back home.

Similarly, many motorists intending to access the city’s central business district (CBD) were also ordered to go back home if they had no good reason to do so.

The CBD was virtually deserted, as most people complied with the lockdown regulations.

Police also barred people who wanted to buy farm produce at vending stalls, a day after President Emmerson Mnangagwa sanctioned fruit and vegetable trading in the country – following an outcry by rights and labour groups.

In the meantime, and with police enforcing compliance and turning away nonessential service providers from accessing the CBDs of major towns, this has resulted in shortages of basic goods and services in many high density areas.-NehandaRadio