adminLesleigh Chidawanyika
VENDORS have resurfaced at Mbare’s Mupedzanhamo market.
The vendors are defying orders from the Harare City Council and the police to leave the area.
Harare City Council acting spokesperson, Innocent Ruwende confirmed that vendors were taking the law into their hands as they are still operating in a prohibited place.
“We have plans to place vendors at Chishawasha Grounds where we are going to make a suitable market.
“We are going to make sure that there is water, shelter and ablution facilities before they operate there.
“It is disheartening that vendors are not heeding our call to leave that open space,” said Ruwende.
The vendors have started erecting their stalls while others are now spreading their wares on the ground.
Tendai Musakwa, a vendor, expressed anger towards the Council for failing to give them a proper and strategically-located place with ablution facilities.
“I am very disappointed by the way the Council is operating.
“They are forcing us to vacate the area, yet we have nowhere to go. Some of us have been here for a long time and have been earning a living here.
“My worry is they are failing to give us a good point so that we can continue with our day-to-day business without encountering losses.
“We are not refusing to leave the area, but we are saying the Council should give us a proper area with all the necessary facilities.
“We all want a win-win situation whereby nobody is disadvantaged in the process,” said Musakwa.
Another vendor, Trymore Senda, blamed the Council for being unnecessarily harsh with them during a time people are busy preparing for the festive season.
“The timing of their operation is disturbing us. Look, we are in December and as vendors, this is the time we make profits as our customers usually flood our marketplace buying stuff.
“Why are there running battles with us when they are failing to deliver services to residents of Harare?
“In my area in Glen Norah, heaps of garbage and sewer bursts are the order of the day.
“It seems like they are ignoring their mandate of service delivery.
“They are driving top-of-the-range vehicles while the residents are the ones collecting refuse on their behalf.”
Online Reporter