Business as usual in Harare

Harare - Most retail outlets have opened for business despite armed forces seizing control of Zimbabwe, including the state-owned radio and television station. 

A survey conducted by Fin24 showed that by 10:00 on Wednesday morning most retail outlets had opened for business, although walk-in traffic at the outlets was much lower than usual.

A Pick n Pay outlet which is less than 200m from the Zimbabwean parliament, where a tank and armed soldiers were deployed, was open for business although the customer count was lower than usual.

A shop assistant who spoke to Fin24 said their head office hadn't told them to close. 

“The only communication we got is that we can close if there is any riot or looting. We have just been told safety first, but as you can see we are operating as usual,” the assistant added. 

Edgars, which is partly owned by Edcon South Africa, was also open for business, but at the time of the survey fewer than 10 customers where in the shop. 

The Truworths outlet in Kwame Nkuruma Road, 100m away from the cordoned off area, was also open. 

However, Power Sales, which is run by South Africa's PEP was closed. Other shops that were closed for business include Stanbic Bank and Stanchart Bank.

Old Mutual, stationed 200m away from Parliament, was open for business, but with no clients coming in. Its banking subsidiary, CABS, was also open for business with depositors queuing for the little that they can get from the banks that have limited withdrawals to as little as $20 per week.

Ex-Barclays Bank, which now owned by First Merchant Bank of Malawi and is just 400m from President Robert Mugabe's office, was also open for business.

Platinum miner Zimplats' spokesperson, Business Chindove, said it was business as usual at the mine and at the head office in Harare. The mine is about 160km from Harare.

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