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Chronicle Reporters
VENDORS are under pressure to leave the streets for designated areas before Monday’s deadline that was issued by the government.
Bulawayo City Council yesterday issued a notice saying those who defy the order face prosecution.The municipality said those who are trading at undesignated places are violating the city’s by-laws.
“All those with bays should pay and occupy the bays accordingly, failure of which the bays will be reallocated to other deserving beneficiaries in the waiting list,” said the municipality in the notice.
“Residents who require designated vending space should approach our Dugmore Offices at the corner of Basch Street and Sixth Avenue to register. This will assist council to appropriately plan for additional trading space. Those who continue to defy the notice would be prosecuted.”
In Masvingo, the city’s mayor Councillor Hubert Fidze told The Chronicle yesterday said those trading illegally should stop immediately.
“Masvingo used to be one of the cleanest cities but due to illegal vending, it’s fast becoming an eyesore,” said Clr Fidze.
Masvingo Urban Ratepayers and Residents Association coordinator Anoziva Muguti said while they support the idea of moving illegal vendors from the CBD, he challenged council to provide adequate strategic stalls.
“I support that the city should remain clean but I urge council to provide vendors with alternative selling bays. Vending in the city should not be dismissed as just causing chaos but they do that due to poverty. Many entirely depend on vending to eke out a living,” said Muguti.
In a statement yesterday, Bulawayo Unemployment Youth Agenda (BUYA) said they were appealing to the government to review its plans to push vendors out of their chosen market places.
“We applaud vendors in their efforts to earn income through hard and honest day work devoid of any criminal activity. Emphasis should be placed on cultivating entrepreneurial skills exhibited by these hardworking Zimbabweans,” said Zenzo Nyoni, BUYA director.
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