Bulawayo vendors have accused the mayor, Thaba Moyo, of failing to fulfil his earlier promise to create more vending sites in the city centre and spare them harassment by municipal police.
Vendors operating along Herbert Chitepo and Leopold Takawira streets told NewsDay yesterday they were still being harassed by municipal police despite Moyo’s assurances that council was addressing their plight.
“Our mayor said that people could sell their wares and not wait for the government to give them jobs so as to make a living for themselves,” said Philani Sibanda, a vendor.
“However, many vendors are still experiencing attacks from his municipal officers.
“These people are suffering. They are hungry and cannot pay for their children’s school fees and this is why you see all these children helping them sell these goods because they cannot go to school due to poverty.”
Another vendor, Sibongile Sibanda, said municipal police demanded as much as $5 for the release of wares they would have confiscated.
“This money that they demand is nearly the amount we make from selling our goods,” she said
“After the mayor said we should continue embarking on vending we thought he supported us, but now we realise he will continue neglecting us.”
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But Moyo said:“The vendors that complain must be illegal vendors that operate without licences.
“However, we are moving towards licensing more vendors and opening up more areas for legal vending,” he said.
“We have already decided to designate Fifth Avenue to vending.
“As long as there is space in the city, we are going to continue expanding these areas.”
