Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE national chairman of the Small and Medium Enterprises for Economic Development (SMEs4ED), Mr Lloyd Bahera, has called on illegal vendors and traders to comply with the Government’s directive to use designated trading areas as part of efforts to uphold the rule of law.
Mr Bahera said compliance with the country’s laws and regulations was crucial to economic development, particularly in ensuring that trading activities were conducted in conditions that promote public health, safety and the orderly functioning of urban centres.
He urged vendors to avoid confrontation and violence and instead cooperate with Government and local authorities.
“SMEs4ED supports the Government’s position that our cities, towns and growth points must be clean, orderly, safe and governed by the rule of law. Economic development cannot be achieved in an environment where regulations are disregarded or where trading takes place in conditions that compromise public health, safety and the proper functioning of our urban centres.
“We therefore call upon all SMEs, informal traders and our members across the country to respect lawful Government and local authority directives, cooperate with the relevant authorities and refrain from confrontation, violence or resistance to law-enforcement agencies.
“We strongly discourage any individuals or organisations from mobilising traders to engage in unlawful conduct or unnecessary confrontation with the authorities,” Mr Bahera said.
Government last week gave illegal vendors operating in undesignated areas across Harare until September 9 to vacate the sites, warning that a comprehensive, zero-tolerance clean-up operation would begin immediately thereafter before being extended to other urban centres across the country.
Mr Bahera, however, said compliance should be accompanied by practical solutions, arguing that designated trading sites should be safe, suitable and capable of supporting the livelihoods of affected traders.
He also called for an urgent audit of council land previously designated for SMEs, particularly where such land may have subsequently been converted to residential use.
“Land intended to support SMEs should serve its intended developmental purpose. While we appreciate the urgency of restoring order, we respectfully appeal to the Government to consider a reasonable extension of the compliance period to December 31, 2026, accompanied by a structured relocation programme.
“This would enable councils to prepare suitable trading spaces and allow affected traders sufficient time to relocate their businesses responsibly,” he said.
Mr Bahera reaffirmed SMEs4ED’s support for Vision 2030, saying the association was committed to promoting lawful, organised and sustainable economic development.
He said a balance should be struck between restoring order in urban areas and creating an enabling environment in which small and medium enterprises could operate and contribute to economic growth.
