Africa-Press – Lesotho. On Wednesday street vendors paused their usual business operations in protest for pending Coronavirus (COVID-19) relief fund of M500 which was promised by the government.
Maseru streets were found empty as vendors deserted their business spots to roam the main circle in protest. The havoc was in attack of the government which failed to fulfil its promise made by the previous government to give street vendors money to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown imposed in March, businesses were shut down with the exception of those offering essential
services, and when the restrictions were eased in May most businesses struggled to resume operations because owners had either spent money on essential services during the curfew or consumed the perishable goods they sell. In light of all this the government made a promise to financially assist the street vendors.
In an interview with Informative Newspaper, the Vice Secretary of Mafafa street vendors association Kotsi Koali said they have been patient enough with the government.
“The government had promised to give us the grants in April but to this day nothing has
happened, that is why we resorted to strike. The only language the government of Lesotho understands is violence so maybe this protest will bring us the
answers we long for,” Koali said. He said the protest was their last resort as they did everything that was supposed to be done according to protocol.
“We have visited all the relevant departments but to no avail,” he said. He said they were denied permit to protest but went ahead without any approval. He added that even though the
police crushed their illegal protest he hopes it reached the intended purpose which was to attract the attention of those responsible for their payments.
Meanwhile the Minister of Small Businesses Development, Cooperatives and Marketing Hon. Keketso Sello said his office did their part by compiling all the necessary documents needed for the payments to be processed and the rest is up to other departments as the payments go through different channels.
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