Mereki vendors take case to High Court

and fined US$5 each for illegal vending.
Their pots, plates, spoons, trays, buckets and other utensils were seized during the raid.
Some of the members include Ms Caroline Mereki (Mai George), Ms Josephine Mashapaidze (Mai Prudence), Ms Getrude Chisvo (Mai Fungayi), Ms Cecilia Sibanda (Mai Diva) and Ms Chipo Munyarari (Mai Lance).
Last week the 30, led by the co-operative chairperson Ms Mereki, filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking the immediate release of the property on the basis that they had not committed any offence.
The co-operative claims the members only paid admission of guilt fines to buy their freedom when they had not committed any offence.
Justice Felistus Chatukuta on Thursday refused to hear the women’s application on an urgent basis.
They may now claim their property back through a normal court application.
In last week’s application, the officer-in-charge Warren Park Police Station, officer commanding Harare South district, Police Commissioner General and the co-Ministers of Home Affairs were cited as respondents.
In the failed urgent chamber application, the 30 argued that their operations at Mereki were above board and that their property should be released immediately.
The urgent chamber application was filed in the spirit that the police wanted to auction the utensils last Thursday.
Ms Mereki indicated that the co-operative was registered according to the laws of Zimbabwe in 2004 and that council approved the construction of the sheds.
Council, according to the application, was receiving monthly rentals from the co-operative and that there was nothing illegal in the way they conducted their business.
They claim that the premises were constructed in a way that meets the health standards and there was no room for contamination of the food they serve.
“Throughout, the applicant (co-operative) has tried to keep the place in a hygienic condition.
“There are five taps of water and there is no room for contamination.
“The applicant pays rentals to council in respect of the piece of land and our operations have been lawful and in compliance with the laws of the country,” said Ms Mereki.

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