Elections case halts Business
Business came to a standstill in the country’s major cities yesterday as the Constitutional Court in Lilongwe delivered its ruling on the presidential elections case.
Spot checks by The Daily Times in main cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe, Zomba and Mzuzu revealed that most shops were closed and a few that opened were not operating on full capacity.
Customers flow was also low in all the cities. The roads were deserted too.
Some business owners and workers were seen loitering in the streets and outside shops.
Abraham Hussein, a shop owner in Limbe said closure of shops was out of fear of possible riots.
“We have been greatly affected, there is no business as you can see.
“On a normal day, I would make over K4 million from sales, especially Mondays are busy days but we expect to resume operations after the judgment,” Hussein said.
Some commercial banks were also closed.
Denis Nkhonjera, an accounts clerk at L5 Scientific Solutions said he failed to send money to a client through the bank.
“I came in town this morning to deposit cash but I was not able because even the banks are closed. This means the whole transaction has come to a halt between our company and the clients,” Nkhonjera said.
Minibus drivers were not spared as not many commuters were available for pick up along the roads.
Jossam Laston a minibus driver in Blantyre said by lunch hour, he had made K3, 000 when on a normal day he would make three times much.
The operating environment has remained subdued since May 2019 largely due to the after-effects of the May 21 Tripartite Elections
