By Farai Maguwu| Whilst it is clear the new Covid 19 variant has emerged in UK and South Africa and can only be imported into the country, government has left airports open, thereby making the whole country vulnerable to those flying in. Hotels will remain open, meaning hotel staff can easily contract the virus from visiting tourists or business people and in turn they will carry it to their relatives locked up at home. Nationwide restaurants and bars have been closed except those in hotels serving largely foreign delegates who must be the biggest suspects in terms of spreading the new variant.

Mines, which are now in the hands of the ruling elites, to remain open. Thus the only poor people allowed to travel are those helping to make the elites rich – the workers. Their travel is also restricted between home and workplace. On what basis is mining an essential service? Essential to who? Go tell it to the poverty stricken villagers in Marange that mining is an essential service. Tell those who sit in darkness around Hwange colliery and thermal power station that mining is an essential service. They will ask, essential for who?

Agriculture, which is also now in the hands of the ruling elites to remain open. Like mine workers, those working for the ruling elites on farms will be allowed to travel between home and farm.

The informal sector, where people live on hand to mouth has been banned. Even those selling tomatoes at a street corner are banned. Very interestingly, Vice President Chiwenga did not explain how government is going to supply food to the citizens he locked up. Who then shall come to the rescue of the poor Zimbabweans who are marooned on the no man’s land between poverty and starvation

Thus Zimbabweans are locked up in their homes but foreigners and the ruling elites are free to go wherever they want.