Vendors in Bulawayo have fallen prey to unscrupulous individuals

SOME desperate vendors in Bulawayo have fallen prey to unscrupulous individuals, masquerading as representatives of informal traders’ associations and swindling them of money under the pretext of facilitating vending bays at the Fifth Avenue marketplace.

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) recently, temporarily closed a section of Fifth Avenue to prepare 500 trading bays to accommodate informal traders.

The council said the portion of Fifth Avenue will now have two riding lanes and vending bays for 500 informal traders.

In a meeting held recently by various vendor associations and the city council at the large City Hall, vendors were told that BCC will need to temporarily close Fifth Avenue so that they do proper demarcation of bays and allocate them to registered vendors.

The local authority has been engaged in running battles with vendors operating along the road without licences at undesignated sites.

BCC, said the council recognised the need to balance the multiple functions of the road such as parking, informal trading, vehicular traffic movement, and access to the property by property owners.

Aggrieved vendors who spoke to the Chronicle yesterday, said they were made to pay between US$3 and US$250 to secure space. They also claimed that they were being coerced into paying US$1 “protection fee” a day to evade being raided by municipal officers.

They also claimed that the money was being collected by individuals purporting to belong to associations called City Vendors and Tata.

“Most of the vendors did not receive receipts for such payments. Another group that was taking money is called Tata and the money was collected by one guy who calls himself Ranga at Tomu restaurant,” said a disgruntled vendor who requested anonymity.

He said some vendors were afraid of confronting the suspects as they didn’t want to blow their chances of securing vending bays.

“Most of the vendors are afraid of blowing their chances of getting vending bays and are confused. Fifth Avenue is our source of livelihood and once that is taken we have nowhere else to go,” said the vendor.

Another vendor alleged that the so-called space barons are working in cahoots with BCC officials who demand ridiculous amounts of money.

“The place is strategically located and we have been selling our wares here for years. With all the commotion and confusion happening now, we fear for our future. Different people are coming to us every day with different stories,” she said.

Another vendor, who only identified himself as Mr Gatsheni, said they have already injected a lot of money to securing space and vending bays.

Ms Silethokuhle Dube ,said though they paid money for vending bays, the so-called associations did not issue them with receipts.

“Those people have collected so much money from us. We are told we should not worry about anything as they will ensure that we get what we are paying for,” she said.

“We are struggling to make ends meet and just because of such a situation, people want to take advantage of us.”

BCC recently held consultations with informal traders and decided to open Fifth Avenue and some sections of Second Avenue for vending, subject to the renovation of the places.

This meant that the council would temporarily close the lane to make way for the construction of vending bays.

In a recent statement, BCC Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said informal traders are required to have a valid vendor licence before they start operating in the city centre.

Registration is being done at Dugmore Vending Offices (former Dugmore Clinic) along Basch Street and Sixth Avenue

Informal traders are required to pay CBD licence fees of US$23 per year and monthly rentals $11, 50 per month.

Those operating outside the city centre are expected to pay US$11, 50 annually while paying US$5, 75 monthly rentals.

Applicants are required to produce Identity Documents, processed fingerprint forms (vetted by CID), proof of residence for a property in Bulawayo (in the form of a water or electricity bill), two passport-size photos and requisite fees for the licence.

Those trading in fruits and vegetables should produce pre-examination for contagious diseases and lessons on food handling with the City of Bulawayo Health Services Department (Khami Road Clinic).

Vendors 4ED patron Mr Tendai Charuka said all vendors should abide by the law and follow the proper channels.

“People should not be swayed into paying anyone money. They should register with legal and known institutions. All communication concerning vendors will be done through representatives and BCC through trusted mediums such as news outlets,” he said.