By Richmore Tera.
Harare. (News Of The South) – UNEMPLOYMENT compounded by the closure of industries has been attributed to the increase in the number of vendors in Zimbabwe, observers have noted in the wake of a recent ultimatum recently issued to the informal traders by the Zimbabwean government that they should clear off the streets of the capital city Harare.
Most industries shut down a couple of years ago during the volatile and tense political period, rendering thousands of people jobless.
Vending immediately became an alternative source of earning a living and the informal trade has seen people flooding the streets of most of the major towns and cities as a way of fending for themselves.
They sell virtually anything.
“People resorted to vending because there are no jobs since most of the industries have shut down. By chasing the people away from the streets where they are plying their trade, the Government is creating more problems for the people since they were relying on this trade,” observed one lady only identified as Letwin.
“They should not just chase people away without giving them alternative jobs. Is this the meaning of ZimAsset when people who are supposed to be empowered are incapacitated by the same authorities who should be empowering them,” noted speaking anonymously.
At the time of going to print, some vendors were seen still selling their wares on the streets of Harare in defiance of the edict by the Government.
On the other hand, some people believe that decision to chuck out the vendors was long overdue, describing the informal traders as “a big nuisance”.
“These people are a big nuisance and they cause disorder on the streets. They also don’t respect the city by-laws, most of them are into criminal activities, and on top of that they don’t contribute to the country’s coffers since they don’t pay tax,” noted Jeremiah Tom.
It is viewed that the vendors were affecting the formal business players who operate from shops where they pay rent.
The street vendors were now claiming a huge chunk of customers from the formal traders.
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