adminWay in Africa Unity Square have been legally licensed to do business.
Responding to questions from journalists last week, Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo, said vending was an integral part of any local authority.
Officials at Harare City Council have often cited statements issued after Operation Murambatsvina as outlawing vending in the CBD.
Vendors have complained that the city was failing to allocate them vending space in the CBD and that they were being harassed leaving them without a source of livelihood.
But Minister Chombo clarified the matter saying Murambatsvina only dealt with illegal vending sites.
“Local authorities are allowed by law to levy vendors selling at specific places and at designated times of the day.
“The onus is on the city to create selling points that are clearly marked. All we want is order to prevail and for the city to benefit,” he said.
He said local authorities should work with relevant Government ministries to empower residents who want to engage in the vending business.
He said in the case of Harare, the municipal police should ensure that vendors stick to designated points.
On complaints that Government was prevaricating on the issuance of arresting powers on municipal police officers, Minister Chombo said not everyone could be given the powers.
“We cannot give arresting powers to everybody. The city has to work with the ZRP.
“The police have agreed to give limited arresting powers on given cases,” he said.
“Discussions are in process. We are facilitating the dialogue,” he said.
He did not name the specific crimes on which the municipal police will enjoy limited arresting powers.
He said excuses that councils were unable to enforce by-laws because they did not have arresting powers were “flimsy”.
He was, however, not impressed with the situation on Harare streets which are always congested with vendors “making it difficult for people to move freely”.
He said councils should engage ZRP for enforcement of by-laws.
Minister Chombo’s meeting with journalists was part of his ministry’s commitment to the “principle and practice of sustainable communication with various stakeholders on local government matters”.
Online Reporter