Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
The City of Harare has evicted roadside vendors in Mbare to restore order in the high density suburb.
Ward 4 Mbare Councillor Boniface Maburutse confirmed the operation saying the vendors had encroached onto roads, posing danger and obstructing traffic.
He said council cleared the areas around Shawasha Grounds, Cripps Road and Remembrance Drive, while vendors operating in the Mupedzanhamo area were also targeted.
“When they were clearing towards the main gate at Mupedzanhamo, they faced resistance from CCC youths who threw stones, forcing the operation to be stopped due to the violence,” he said.
Cllr Maburutse said the youths later attacked his office and damaged property, accusing him of being behind the operation.
He said space barons had become a major problem in Mbare, with some allegedly charging vendors for trading spaces that encroach onto roads.
“We want our vendors to sell their wares because they are the ones who voted for us, but for them to sell their wares while encroaching onto the tarred roads poses many risks and results in a lack of order,” he said.
Cllr Maburutse said vendors were also being exploited by space barons who collected money in exchange for illegal trading spaces.
