Food relief for Chiredzi touts

Beatific Gumbwanda

Chiredzi Town Council vice chairperson
Ropafadzo Makumire recently donated 280kg of mealie-meal to 28 touts who are
among the worst affected by the Covid-94 induced national lockdown.

Touts (mahwindi) have not been able
to practice their informal hustle as public transport operators have largely
been out of the road for the past six weeks.

Makumire then mobilised resources
to purchase the mealie-meal which was distributed to those in Ward 3 where he is
councillor.

He said he was touched by the
suffering of touts who under normal circumstances operate at the new and old
terminus but have been unable to work and provide for their families for all
these weeks.

“Our brothers and sisters
who lived as touts are really marooned as the transport sector is severely
restricted. These are some of the people who live hand to mouth and to leave
them out without any form of help is inhumane.

“This help is not much but
it means a lot to them as nobody has really thought about their plight. In
terms of food security, the situation in our communities is dire and it must be
a responsibility of those that can help to do so,” said Makumire.

Touts are not likely to get back
to business any time soon as government allows only the Zimbabwe United
Passengers Company (Zupco) and those allied to it to operate.

Residents say the extended
lockdown has resulted in an increase of cases of housebreaking and gambling in
some areas of Chiredzi.