Businesses in Limpopo’s border town of Musina have remained shut down as trader organisations continue with a stay away in protest against the Zimbabwe government’s decision to ban basic food imports into the country from South Africa.
Musina was poised as an emerging economic hub after massive infrastructure investments were made following the collapse of Zimbabwe’s economy several years ago.
However, the implementation of Zimbabwe’s Statutary No.64 of 2016, which banned the import of basic foodstuffs and other products from South Africa, has cast doubts over plans for the former mining town to grow.
On Wednesday, streets remained deserted and shops closed, as unhappy Zimbabweans, who were counted among Musina’s major buyers, suspended their movements into the town, following a call by the International Cross-Border Traders Association.
The stay away is aimed at appealing to the international community to pressure Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to lift the statutory ban on imports.
The implementation of the ban saw crossborder traders’ stock confiscated at the border by Zimbabwean custom officials.
“We are happy that people and business community listen to our call to stay away, because the Zimbabwe government has banned imports. By staying away we are sending a clear message to the government of Zimbabwe that we are not happy,” said International Cross-Border Traders Association president Dennis Jeru.
The town has been quiet since Friday after traders realised that the Zimbabwe government would not back down on its decision to ban imported goods.
According to Jeru, other ports of entry into Zimbabwe, such as from Botswana and Zambia joined the stay away on Wednesday.
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