adminTinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporter
EXPELLED MDC-T legislator Ms Gladys Mathe has come out supporting First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe’s sentiments that police should stop harassing street vendors and confiscate their wares, saying such practice was violation of the vendor’s rights. Ms Mathe, who was a Bulawayo provincial proportional representative MP, was last week expelled from parliament, together with 20 other legislators after defecting from MDC-T to form the United Movement for Democratic Change (UMDC), a coalition between the Tendai Biti-led Renewal Team and the MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube.
Speaking to Sunday News at a UMDC function to mark the International Women’s Day in Mzilikazi high density suburb recently, Ms Mathe said police and local authorities should allow vendors to sell their wares without hindrance as this was their only source of livelihood.
Some political analysts have backed Ms Mathe’s stance to echo Cde Mugabe’s despite her political affiliation, saying such line of positive thinking was what was needed for Zimbabwe to claw out of its economic situation.
Ms Mathe said the continued harassment of vendors by authorities was tantamount to denying them their right to life as most of them lived off selling various wares at road sides.
“It hurts me to see police engaging in running battles with innocent vendors, most of whom are women who will only be trying to make a living and take care of their children.
“We all know that industry is crippled, most factories have closed down and there is little formal employment available. Most people are now earning a living through informal means. Now for police and council to come in and harass such people is as good as denying them a right to live,” she said.
Ms Mathe added that the fines being charged by police to vendors who would have been caught selling wares at undesignated points were harsh as most vendors realise meagre proceeds from their trade.
She said the confiscation of wares and imposition of fines was double punishment for vendors, urging authorities to revise laws and allow vendors to trade freely in response to the changing economic environment.
“After being arrested the vendors are fined $5 for trading illegally. That is just too much. Show me one vendor who makes as much in one day. On top of the fine police go on to confiscate the vendors wares, which in any case police never really account for. To me that is double punishment and that should stop.
“This is the time for councils to start looking at our by-laws and see if they are still relevant to our economic environment. Laws should be revised to allow vendors to freely sell their wares and send their children to school,” she said.
Political analyst and social commentator Mr Enoch Musara said although Ms Mathe might get heavy criticism from colleagues in her political camp, her stance was what was needed for the country to move ahead.
“Of course such sentiments will invite a backlash from her colleagues in her political party. This might be seen largely as supporting Dr Mugabe’s political ascendancy, which may not be the case.
“These are bread and butter issues that she touched on, issues that affect the livelihood of people and there is nothing wrong with politicians agreeing on such matters. In fact that is what we need for national development. We need our political leaders to start speaking with one voice and desist from politics of opposition,” he said.
Dr Mugabe recently warned police against confiscating goods from vendors which they go on to consume, saying vendors also had a right to earn a living without being tormented.
She said this while addressing thousands of women at commemorations of the International Women’s Day, adding that eradication of poverty and economic empowerment of women, were paramount in achieving gender equality.
“This includes creation of facilities for women vendors who are usually subjected to all kinds of ill treatment. Police officers, please police officers. Probably you were able to go to school and later be attested into the police force because your mother used to sell tomatoes to pay your school fees. Let’s stop confiscating people’s wares.
“If they’re selling at undesignated places, tell them peacefully they will understand. If you’re hungry and don’t have tomatoes, borrow. Borrowing doesn’t kill. Those wares sold by the roadside which you confiscate, if we ask you to produce them, you won’t be able to do so. You’ll claim that the goods have gone bad. We want to see those rotten goods. We must stop that practice. We’re trying to make a living,” the First Lady was quoted saying in our sister paper The Herald.
Dr Mugabe also urged vendors to work hard and not to be shy when selling their wares.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu