Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) has condemned the joint operation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Defence Forces targeted at ridding vendors operating from undesignated points saying a holistic approach is needed to come up with a lasting solution to the problem.
In a statement issued yesterday, VISET called for dialogue with the new government on ways of finding a lasting solution to the issue of vending in the country.
“Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) will this week seek audience with the new government over the heightened clampdown on vendors operating in the Central Business Districts of all major towns and cities in Zimbabwe,” noted VISET.
The vendors lobby group urged government to respect the constitution of the country in their operation adding that a holistic approach is what is needed to come up with a lasting solution.
“It is our view that only a holistic and human rights based approach can address the challenges, thus taking a sustainable and long lasting solution,” added VISET.
The organisation accused government of not consulting vendors during the identification of new vending sites for instance which they said is not an event but a process.
“It is actually a huge process that requires comprehensive consultations with all the critical stakeholders,” noted VISET adding that vendors will not participate and validate half baked processes aimed at pushing them out of business.
“This is the reason why, in Harare for example, not even a single vendor complied with numerous directives by the previous government to move to the desert-like sites including Coca- Cola Open space, Mbudzi bus terminus, and the Coventry Holding Bay.”
According to VISET, the illegal clampdown of vendors by the police and army officers has to date led to the arrest of more than 15 vendors mainly in Masvingo and Mutare.
