'We won't open shops until new president is known'

Most of businesses in Dar es Salaam remained closed yesterday as operators were anxiously waiting for the release of Sunday’s General Election results.

Many shops were still closed for the second day running, with traders saying they would resume business after the announcement of the presidential results and they are assured of peace.

 

A survey carried out by this paper in various parts of the commercial capital found that while some businesses were operating, many others were still closed, causing inconveniences to customers.

 

At Kariakoo -the city’s main retail and wholesale centre - many shops were closed while others were ajar with shopkeepers seen sitting outside in groups as they discussed how they voted and the results that have started to trickle in through the media. 

 

At Tandamti, Nyamwezi, Mchikichini and Narung’ombe streets, almost all shops were closed.

 

However the situation was different in Congo Street where business was going as usual.In an interview with ‘The Guardian’, a businessman at Kariakoo, Ally Mbwana, disclosed that many businessmen have been compelled to close their shops as they fear that chaos is likely to erupt during this period of elections.

He said businessmen from neighbouring countries including Kenya, Uganda, Congo and Malawi closed their businesses earlier than their local counterparts.

 

“As you can see the situation, very few traders have remained in the area. Many of them have decided to stay home as they wait for the election period to pass before they start doing businesses,” he said.

 

Another trader at Tandika area in Temeke Municipality, Issa Matola said they will not open their shops before the presidential results are announced.

 

“I am not very sure when we are going to open the shops. May be next week … all this is to make sure that we participate fully in all processes of getting good leaders to lead the nation,” he said.

 

However the situation was much worse at Mwananyamala area where almost all shops were closed.

 

This paper saw small groups of people in the area discussing the now country’s hot agenda of ‘election results’.

 

“We canot settle and do anything … we would rather die here until we are sure that the best leaders in bringing about change in the country are announced,” said Shamim Juma, a resident of Mwananyamala.

 

“The situation in the country is still not good, we closed our shops since Sunday, we are afraid of possible violence that might occur and threatening our business,” she said.

 

For her part, Eveline Jackson, a trader at Mwananyamala, said given that outbreak of violence is likely this year, it is not safe for them to open their shops.

 

“In fact the situation here is very scary, we do not expect to open our shops until they announce the fifth president  and if it’s possible, we will wait until he is sworn. May be we will continue with business beginning Monday next week,” she said.

 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN