Vendor associations were yesterday divided over a Government directive to leave the Harare Central Business District by next Monday to designated sites, with some threatening to stay put if no viable alternatives are provided.
Others welcomed the Government’s decision, saying they had since started communicating with their members to comply.
This came as Harare City Council unveiled new vending sites in the CBD and residential areas.
Harare and other local authorities had given up the fight against vendors as market stalls mushroomed overnight everywhere in towns, including in the First Street Mall in Harare.
Harare town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi yesterday said they had identified several sites to relocate vendors for them to operate legally, while paying a nominal fee.
“We have the CBD, which can accommodate a limited number of about 6 000. But there are other places that we have identified, where we want people to relocate,” said Dr Mahachi.
Harare Informal Traders’ Council president Mr Onisimo Gore welcomed the Government’s directive, saying the CBD in the capital had become chaotic.
He dismissed claims by the National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe that the decision was imposed, saying such criticism lacked merit.
Mr Gore, who is also leader of the Zimbabwe Home Industries Markets Association, said he had communicated through the national broadcaster and reached out to vendors to move to designated places with immediate effect.
“We support the Government move wholeheartedly. We are saying all vendors should move to designated places to create order and cleanliness in the CBD,” he said.
“Who can resist this decision to create order? The people resisting the order are empty vessels.”
Most vendors spoken to welcomed the order saying they were willing to move if alternative vending sites were created for them.
Mr Luke Bhasikoro, a vendor in the CBD, said vending was his source of livelihood.
“I applied to the city council for a vending space, but l was told the spaces were full. If the city has created more sites, I will move,” he said.
Queen of Grace Zim-Asset secretary general, Cde Ephraim Chizola, said his organization was behind Government’s decision to restore normalcy in urban areas.
“We are fully behind the Government’s decision on the vending community and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises),” said Cde Chizola.
He said vending situation in Harare was detrimental to tourism and urged all vendors to pay heed to Government order.
Addressing a press conference in the capital yesterday, National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe director, Mr Samuel Wadzanai, attacked Government’s ultimatum saying they would resist it as there were no profitable alternative places.
This is despite the fact that he endorsed the decision when Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, Dr Ignatious Chombo, announced it on Monday. He even committed to make an announcement to his members then.
yesterday he said: “Our position is clear that we will communicate the same to our members that they will never be removed from their current vending sites unless alternative and equally profitable vending sites are provided for them,” he said.
“Several times we have indicated to the Minister that we are not opposed to endavours that bring sanity to the city of Harare but livelihoods must never be sacrificed at the altar of free walking space.”
The Zimbabwe Informal Sector’s Organization said Government should consult widely to get a buy-in by all stakeholders to avoid resistance.
“An extensive all-stakeholder consultation with the active involvement of the vendors themselves is vital if Government is to find a lasting solution to the problem. Secondly, Government must come up with viable alternative sources of livelihood before they destroy vending that people have created for themselves,” said the association in a statement.
The Committee of the People’s Charter said it was high time that Government embraced the informal sector’s role in the economy.
“The CPC is of the firm view that the City of Harare and other urban local authorities have not done enough to seek an amicable solution to the opportunities and challenges that come with the expansion of the informal sector within their cities,” said CPC in a statement.
Others welcomed the Government’s decision, saying they had since started communicating with their members to comply.
This came as Harare City Council unveiled new vending sites in the CBD and residential areas.
Harare and other local authorities had given up the fight against vendors as market stalls mushroomed overnight everywhere in towns, including in the First Street Mall in Harare.
 |
| Vendors speak out on government's directive to leave the Harare Central Business District |
“We have the CBD, which can accommodate a limited number of about 6 000. But there are other places that we have identified, where we want people to relocate,” said Dr Mahachi.
Harare Informal Traders’ Council president Mr Onisimo Gore welcomed the Government’s directive, saying the CBD in the capital had become chaotic.
He dismissed claims by the National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe that the decision was imposed, saying such criticism lacked merit.
Mr Gore, who is also leader of the Zimbabwe Home Industries Markets Association, said he had communicated through the national broadcaster and reached out to vendors to move to designated places with immediate effect.
“We support the Government move wholeheartedly. We are saying all vendors should move to designated places to create order and cleanliness in the CBD,” he said.
“Who can resist this decision to create order? The people resisting the order are empty vessels.”
Most vendors spoken to welcomed the order saying they were willing to move if alternative vending sites were created for them.
Mr Luke Bhasikoro, a vendor in the CBD, said vending was his source of livelihood.
“I applied to the city council for a vending space, but l was told the spaces were full. If the city has created more sites, I will move,” he said.
Queen of Grace Zim-Asset secretary general, Cde Ephraim Chizola, said his organization was behind Government’s decision to restore normalcy in urban areas.
“We are fully behind the Government’s decision on the vending community and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises),” said Cde Chizola.
He said vending situation in Harare was detrimental to tourism and urged all vendors to pay heed to Government order.
Addressing a press conference in the capital yesterday, National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe director, Mr Samuel Wadzanai, attacked Government’s ultimatum saying they would resist it as there were no profitable alternative places.
This is despite the fact that he endorsed the decision when Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, Dr Ignatious Chombo, announced it on Monday. He even committed to make an announcement to his members then.
yesterday he said: “Our position is clear that we will communicate the same to our members that they will never be removed from their current vending sites unless alternative and equally profitable vending sites are provided for them,” he said.
“Several times we have indicated to the Minister that we are not opposed to endavours that bring sanity to the city of Harare but livelihoods must never be sacrificed at the altar of free walking space.”
The Zimbabwe Informal Sector’s Organization said Government should consult widely to get a buy-in by all stakeholders to avoid resistance.
“An extensive all-stakeholder consultation with the active involvement of the vendors themselves is vital if Government is to find a lasting solution to the problem. Secondly, Government must come up with viable alternative sources of livelihood before they destroy vending that people have created for themselves,” said the association in a statement.
The Committee of the People’s Charter said it was high time that Government embraced the informal sector’s role in the economy.
“The CPC is of the firm view that the City of Harare and other urban local authorities have not done enough to seek an amicable solution to the opportunities and challenges that come with the expansion of the informal sector within their cities,” said CPC in a statement.
