HARARE’S women vendors with the support of the Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (Walpe) have petitioned mayor Jacob Mafume over confiscation of their wares by municipal police.
Walpe is working with women vendors to empower them through transformative leadership training where they are taught leadership, participation, effective representation, lobbying, advocacy and governance.
The petition highlighted the confiscation of female vendors’ wares by municipal police in Harare, which affects the livelihoods of over 50% of women in the city who depend on vending as their sole source of income.
Mafume acknowledged receipt of the petition and assured would be tabled at the next council meeting.
He expressed council’s commitment to addressing the issues presented.
“We have received a petition from Walpe regarding the confiscation of goods from female vendors. As we know, our economy is largely informal, and there is a shortage of designated selling areas. This has resulted in a recurring ‘cat and mouse’ situation between vendors and municipal authorities,” Mafume said.
He emphasised council’s awareness of the challenges female vendors face when their goods are confiscated, including lack of mechanisms to recover them or find vending spaces.
Mafume acknowledged the devastating impact such actions have on vendors, particularly women and highlighted the need for mutually beneficial solutions.
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“We will consider the creation of a dispute resolution mechanism and a platform for dialogue between council and vendors. Our goal is to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement,” he said.
“While we are concerned about waste management and operations in undesignated areas, we must also consider the serious implications of confiscating goods on the vendors’ livelihoods.
“We will present this petition in good faith to council and explore ways to address the concerns raised by Walpe and the vendors.”
Walpe is following up on the petition to ensure that the concerns raised are addressed appropriately.
