Summary Findings
and Recommendations.
FINDINGS
In the past two months April and May 2021, there were growing incidences of clear selective
enforcement of the COVID-19 Statutory Instrument 77 of 2020 - The Public Health Order, for
political expedience by the incumbent Zanu-PF.
Zimbabweans including those formally employed, resorted to informal trading to make ends
meet. Some sections of the private sector reduced the number of working days for
employees and only remunerated for the days they came to work. This resulted in a 40%
salary cut.
There was a new wave of demolitions of vending stalls and harassment of vendors by a joint
operation of local authorities and Zimbabwe police. The disruption worsened the toll on
informal traders and compounded the already bleak future under the pandemic.
There were increasing reports of people being turned away on grounds of non-availability of
the COVID-19 vaccine. People who are not vaccinated are exposed to severities of the
imminent third wave and variants from India and neighbouring South Africa.
There were no recorded beneficiaries of the government COVID-19 relief fund in the past
two months April and May 2021.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Strengthen the push for a culture of observance of the rule of law, and constitutionalism. All
government institutions, agencies and individuals must be bound by the law and apply the
laws consistent with the Constitution. For purposes of accountability, public officials must be
held liable for their actions, through courts and other accountability mechanisms.
Promote public accountability and good governance of the national social security and
social welfare funds administration in ensuring that they are responsive when a need arises.
The Acts of Parliament administering the funds must be restructured to provide for their
availability to mitigate formal sector employee distress during disasters.
Mobilise for public petitions and urgent court applications to stop the demolitions and
harassment of informal traders. Central government and local authorities must first provide
viable alternatives and incentives to informal traders.
Government must prioritise disbursement of resources towards the procurement of more
vaccines and strengthen the accountability mechanisms of the procurement system and fair
disbursements /distribution of the vaccines.
Government through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, must invite
and encourage cooperation with development partners and the private sector towards
mitigating extreme poverty and hunger of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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