News of the South HARARE – The cleaning up of Harare following the prevailing cholera outbreak by means of chasing away vendors from the CBD has been received with mixed feelings by the generality of Zimbabweans with some applauding Government for restoring the city’s status and others raising red flags over human rights violations.
A survey by News of the South drew comments from the general populace with some commending the move saying the pavements are now easy to manoeuvre and they have become cleaner and they even expressed hopes of the city attaining a world class status.
Most of the people who commended the cleanup process however, empathised with the vendors who lost their wares to “over-zealous” police officers who confisticated their goods and some brutalizing innocent citizens in the process.
“While we applaud the government for the move, the process was carried out in a manner that, in some cases saw these vendors being abused, having their wares being taken away by police and some innocent people were beaten up in the process.
“Council should assist in the speedy allocation of stalls at designated spaces as this is proving to be a challenge for some,” said one citizen who chose to remain anonymous.
Controversial pressure group Tajamuka/Sesijikile at a press conference held in Harare last week castigated the government for chasing away vendors from the streets yet they have failed to provide jobs.
“We call on the Government to immediately stop the use of force against civilians and enter into negotiations with the vendors and all the stakeholders to find an amicable solution to the vending crisis in Zimbabwe.
“We insist that the government cannot remove vendors from the streets without providing alternative vending facilities or even employment,” said Promise Mkwananzi one of the Tajamuka leaders.
Mkwananzi was then arrested soon after the press conference by police who were waiting for him outside the venue of the presser on charges of inciting violence.
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