by Shongedzai Mugwagwa
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decision to cancel and prohibit public gatherings exceeding 100 people, has received praise from all corners of the country.
The decision was made following the unprecedented threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic virus, the Harare Post can report.
Commendations trickled from all quarters applauding the decision as the only way that could reduce the risk of spreading the pandemic in the country.
The country has not recorded any Covid-19 positive cases to date as all the 14 tested suspected patients tested negative. However President Mnangagwa declared that it was necessary for citizens to start changing their behaviours to minimise the spill over of the virus from the high risk countries.
President Mnangagwa’s critic and G40 kingpin, Professor Jonathan Moyo was quick to applaud the decision on his Twitter Timeline.
“Well done ED Mnangagwa. Better late than never. Declaring the Coronavirus a national disaster is the way to go to stem the pandemic and save lives. Actions must now speak louder than words,” Professor Moyo tweeted.
Professor Moyo went on to defend Government decision from critics who opined that the choice of words was wrong suggesting that it should not have been declared a national disaster but rather State of Emergency.
“The difference between a state of emergency or public emergency and a national or state of disaster, is fundamental. A state of emergency leads to the limitation of the Bill of Rights & thus can be abused. It's right that this is National Disaster to provide civic protection!” he responded.
Norton Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa weighed in supporting and commending the announcement made President Mnangagwa.
Mliswa tweeted: “Declaring it a “National Disaster” allows Government funding to be allocated towards protection & preventive systems. Nothing amiss there. It was about time.”
Veteran journalist, Brezhnev Malaba in his submissions praised the decision to postpone and cancel public gatherings. He wrote, “To Mnangagwa's credit, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair & the Zim@40 festivities have been postponed.”
President Mnangagwa said that neighbouring South Africa had recorded positive cases and therefore, it was prudent for the country to decisively play their part to reduce or limit exposure to citizens.
According to the South African dailies, on 18 March 2019, the positive cases jumped from 62 to 116 cases of confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Resultantly, President Mnangagwa has declared a mandatory 21 day quarantine for all travellers coming to Zimbabwe from high risk countries or they (travellers) consider delaying or postponing their visit to Zimbabwe.
