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Thandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO residents said yesterday that they want the Bulawayo City Council to identify and discipline six municipal policemen who assaulted a vendor until he passed out last Thursday.
The cops were carrying out routine raids on unlicensed vendors when they savagely attacked Mr Mark Chibanda near the City Hall.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association coordinator Mr Fredrick Fayayo said the six officers should be identified and disciplined.
“We are not happy with conduct of some municipal police officers who are in the habit of assaulting vendors instead of just arrresting them. The six officers should also be prosecuted for abusing their powers,” said Mr Fayayo.
He said the local authority should appreciate that most families are surviving on vending because their breadwinners are out of employment following the closure of most companies in the city.
“We understand that there are by-laws to be adhered to so it is important for council to constantly engage vendors so that they understand and appreciate the importance of having licences and operating from designated points,” said Mr Fayayo.
He said resorting to assaulting vendors was not the solution and should be stopped forthwith.
Bulawayo United Residents Association chairperson Mr Winos Dube described the assault of Mr Chibanda as barbaric.
“We have laws that govern us as residents and citizens. These must be used in dealing with the six culprits who assaulted Mr Chibanda,” he said.
He said apart from assaulting vendors, the municipal police were demanding bribes to release confiscated wares.
Vendors yesterday said Mr Chibanda was discharged from hospital on Friday but no one knew his condition.
Most vendors said they were reluctant to register and operate from designated points because most of the council bays were far from their customers.
They also said the registration fee was too high.
The council charges a once off fee of $43 for vendor registration and $11 monthly.
The Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said residents must remember that by-laws are there to protect everyone who lives in Bulawayo.
“Vending in the central business district without a licence is illegal. We, however, do not condone assault of illegal vendors by our police officers and as such we will investigate the alleged assault of Mr Chibanda, “ he said.
Mr Dube said council had a mandate to ensure there is orderliness in the city as well as maintain high standards of cleanliness.
He said it was therefore important for vendors to operate from designated points and those who defy this will be arrested.
“We know that residents are facing financial challenges but this should not be an excuse to engage in illegal activities such as operating without liences or vending in undesignated areas,” said Mr Dube.
He said municipal police officers were mandated to maintain law and order and may use minimal force in cases where vendors resist arrest.
“It’s not fair to allow vendors to operate in front of shops that pay rates monthly,” said Mr Dube.
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