Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
INFORMAL traders in Bulawayo met authorities during which a resolution was reached that vending barons should be exposed and brought to book while 5th Avenue parking bays will be turned into vending stalls.
Monday’s closed door meeting was attended by Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, Bulawayo Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Paul Nyoni and representatives from informal traders’ organisations.
Bulawayo has of late seen the emergence of vending barons working in cahoots with some council workers to demand US$1 bribes from desperate vendors.
The desperate vendors reportedly pay “protection fees” for them to evade being raided for illegally operating in the city centre.
The vendors are allegedly being forced to pay the money to some people who claim to be politically connected.
The latest development comes at a time when vendors have occupied various places across the city resulting in running battles with the municipal police who also confiscated their wares.
It has since been established that while in the public eye, the municipal police raid vendors. However, others are deliberately left behind as they reportedly pay “subscription fees” to corrupt council officials.
Mr Dumisani Ncube who chairs the informal traders working committee comprising all informal traders’ associations in Bulawayo, said the meeting was fruitful.
He said vending barons must be reported to authorities so that they are brought to book.
“People must not pay anything to anyone and those being issued with receipts by the vending barons are illegal. We agreed that whoever knows a vending baron must immediately report the matter to the council chamber secretary or the associations and action will be taken,” said Mr Ncube.
“This should also apply to municipality police who demand bribes from some vendors.”
Mr Ncube said they also resolved that 5th Avenue parking area stretching from Robert Mugabe Way to Lobengula Street should be a designated vending site.
“We agreed that those who were trading along 5th Avenue before the outbreak of Covid-19 should go back to their respective vending sites, occupying the parking bays,” he said.
“Anyone who is trading on the 6th Avenue and not 5th Avenue, should immediately be raided and arrested. We further agreed that enforcement must start immediately while those operating from 5th Avenue should be deemed as a short-term measure pending their relocation to Amakhosi area.”
Mr Ncube said they also highlighted challenges revolving around illegal activities such as the selling of illicit alcohol and drugs.
Mr Nyoni declined to comment, saying he was yet to brief Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube.
“I can’t say anything at the moment pertaining to the meeting since protocol does not allow me to do so before briefing my Minister. However, a full statement will be released on Wednesday,” said Mr Nyoni.
Contacted for comment, Mr Dube also refused to comment on what was discussed during the closed-door meeting.
— @bonganinkunzi
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