Blitz on vendors bears fruit

Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
The ongoing blitz to remove vendors in Chinhoyi’s Central Business District which began last week is bearing fruit as most of the vendors have moved to designated areas. Although there are still pockets of resistance, Chinhoyi Municipality has managed to clear passage ways and maintain visibility. At least 40 new applications were processed and allocated space to operate from since the blitz started. Acting Chinhoyi Municipality spokesperson Mr Tichaona Mlauzi said vendors had largely complied with the directive to move from the CBD.

“The exercise is going on well and we will not relent. We are trying hard to bring sanity in the CBD,” said Mr Mlauzi.
“There have been no arrests as people have been complying with the order. Many who had deserted their designated places and moved into the CBD have since returned.” However, there are still about 60 vacant slots awaiting allocation once interested vendors have been identified.

Large numbers of municipal police officers are patrolling the town into the night to ensure that no vendors take advantage. Chinhoyi Residents Association chairperson Mr Peter Liwande welcomed the development saying that it was being done in a way that does not affects livelihoods.

“People are being given alternative places to work from and that ensures that they continue to provide for their families,” he said.