President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on vendors to resist being exploited by “criminal elements” and drug kingpins, while also appealing for an end to night vending.
The President met with vendors’ representatives at State House on Wednesday to listen to their concerns, following the government’s directive for local authorities to clear vendors from the streets.
The meeting comes just days before planned street protests on March 31, led by Blessed “Bombshell” Geza. The plan is to pressure Mnangagwa to step down from office. Said Mnangagwa:
<blockquote>
I urge you as vendors to be alert and vigilant. Never allow the abuse of your sector by criminal elements and drug kingpins.
</blockquote>
Mnangagwa also urged vendors to cease night trading and to conduct their activities in an orderly manner. He said:
<blockquote>
We must have order, and as responsible citizens, we must never gloss over this matter. We must be honest that we cannot let the state of our country degenerate right under our eyes.
</blockquote>
Earlier this month, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe directed informal vendors to vacate unregulated trading areas and stop night trading. However, many vendors have disregarded the directive.
Mnangagwa also said his government’s efforts to formalise the sector should not be viewed as a direct threat to their livelihoods. He said:
<blockquote>
However, there have been some worrisome trends affecting the sector, and if left unchecked, they will have dire ripple effects on our country, overshadowing the important role of this critical sector.
</blockquote>
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe echoed Mnangagwa’s warning against night vending.
He added that his ministry would take a leading role in holding local authorities accountable for mistreating vendors. He added:
<blockquote>
The people who are night vending are creating fertile ground for drug and substance abuse activities. These same people are also facilitating the distribution of counterfeit products, which are sold at night and find their way into people’s homes, further exacerbating health concerns.
</blockquote>
Lovemore Mudzoki, Secretary of the Tuckshops Association, said they are not involved in the demonstrations called by Geza, as these protests disrupt their activities.
More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/mnangagwa-tells-vendors-to-ignore-geza-call-for-street-protests/">ZimLive</a>

Pindula News

President Emmerson Mnangagwa told vendors to be careful of bad people and stop selling at night. He met with vendors to hear their worries about being cleared from the streets. Some people plan to protest on March 31 to make Mnangagwa leave office. Mnangagwa warned vendors against criminal activity and selling at night. He said the government wants to organize the sector, not harm their jobs. The government wants vendors to work in a peaceful way. Other leaders support Mnangagwa’s warnings against night vending. Some vendors disagree with the protests because it disturbs their work.

Vendors Latest News

Latest Jobs