Zimbabwe's ban on imports renders Musina a ghost town

The association said the Zimbabwe government's ban on imports last month was slowly poisoning their businesses and their clients were suffering prejudice.

Traders in Musina, a border town between South Africa and Zimbabwe, said their major clients were being restricted from importing basic food from South Africa.

The import restrictions saw hundreds of people protesting and the closure of the Beitbridge port of entry last week Friday.

According to reports in Zimbabwe, authorities wanted to stop businesses involving people who bought and resold goods in Zimbabwe without following procedure. Following this ban, individuals have complained that buying goods in Zimbabwe has become expensive. They said whoever buys goods in Zimbabwe must expect to pay three times more for basic food.

While protests were going on the South African side, in Zimbabwe protesters burnt down a satellite police station in Beitbridge as they protested against the trade ban.

African News Agency (ANA) visited Musina on Tuesday and witnessed the economic distress of the former mining town.

Most shops owners decided to close their stores early as there were no customers to inject much needed funds into their businesses.

Store owners said if the situation continued, they would consider closing shop.

ANA spoke to a shop owner, Bharucha Farouk, on the streets just after he closed his store. Farouk said since last week Friday, his business was struggling to make the sales he used to make.

"From morning, we opened shops, but at 10am, we are forced to close because there is no business, I don't think I will be able to pay rent and workers, and will need to close the shops," said Farouk.

Other operators said their businesses were collapsing and it was not guaranteed that the import ban moratorium would be suspended.

International Cross-Border Traders Association Dennis Jeru said over the years their members depended on trading with Zimbabweans.

"If the situation continue, there will be a total shutdown in Musina as most businesses rely on buyers from Zimbabwe. Without Zimbabwean clients, Musina will cease to be active," said Jeru.

He said the lack of currency has impacted even more on businesses.

"To start with there is no cash, the banks are empty, you can have money in your account but when you reach the bank they will tell you that they don't have money," he said.

Police and soldiers are seen patrolling deserted shopping areas, searching and demanding passports from foreign nationals.

Police spokesman Colonel Ronel Otto said public order police continued to monitor the border. - ANA