City vendors defy council

Diana Nherera and Daniel Kachere Herald Reporters
Some vendors in Harare were yesterday still operating at illegal sites, defying yet another call by the city council for them to move to the newly designated areas.

A snap survey carried out by The Herald yesterday showed vendors still selling clothes and shoes along Julius Nyerere Way, Chinhoyi Street, Mbuya Nehanda Street, Market Square as well as at Simon Muzenda Street where they erected tents.

A visit to the newly designated areas such as the open ground close to the City Sports Centre, Tsiga Grounds in Mbare and the open area between Cripps and Seke roads showed that vendors continued defying the order to move.

However, illegal vending sites such as the footbridge opposite Town House, Holding Bay, Julius Nyerere Way and Kenneth Kaunda appeared deserted.

In an interview, Harare City principal communications officer Mr Michael Chideme insisted that vendors should stop selling their wares in the central business district.

“Vendors are only allowed to trade at the designated sites any day and any time of the year,” he said.

Mr Chideme said there is high municipal police presence on the streets to rid the city of vendors selling their wares at undesignated sites.

Yesterday Harare municipal police trucks could be seen loading vendors’ stalls and tables from undesignated sites in the city centre as they continued to ensure that sanity prevails.