HARARE, Mar 21 (NewsDay Live) – The government has been urged to call a meeting between local authorities, police, and informal traders to avoid violent confrontations as authorities bid to remove vendors from streets.
Local Government minister, Daniel Garwe, last week directed local authorities to remove informal traders, including night traders who he said had become a health hazard.
Attempts by municipal police to remove vendors in various parts of the country turned violent as angry informal traders beat up the law enforcement agents.
Vendors have remained in the undesignated places with reports that the government now feared an uprising amid calls for nationwide protests to force President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
City of Harare councillor and chairperson of the committee on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Denford Ngadziore, said the violence would likely continue if the matter is not handled with carefully.
“The government and local authorities should urgently meet for a multi-stakeholder meeting to develop a fair, swift, and peaceful transition to prevent chaos,” he said.
“Enforcing this policy daily would require significant funding, raising concerns about the source of funds. Given past unsuccessful attempts to remove vendors, a more practical and lasting solution is necessary.”
Ngadziore said Harare was in the process of implementing its SMEs policy to regulate vendors.
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“This will create more legit trading places throughout the city. This needs government and everyone’s support,” he said.
He, however, admitted the illegal vending had become a scourge.
“I fully agree that the rise in illegal activities and littering poses serious health and security risks, requiring urgent action,” Ngadziore said.
