Bulawayo vending model praised

Bulawayo has emerged as Zimbabwe's model city in dealing with the issue of uncontrolled vending.

Despite being the hardest hit in terms of de-industrialisation with many companies closing shop, vendors in Bulawayo sell their wares at designated places.

The Bulawayo City Council and the vendors have a good working relationship that other local authorities across the country can emulate.

Although unemployment has seen an increase in vending in the city, the local authority has successfully managed to keep vendors operating at designated points.

Shop owners in Bulawayo have commended the local authority saying the move reduces unfair competition with illegal vendors who are not incurring any overhead costs.

According to the vendors, a designated point makes it easy for their customers to locate them and eliminates unnecessary cat and mouse chase with the law enforcement authorities.

Bulawayo mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo says the local authority will continue allocating designated points for vendors to avoid conflict between shop owners and vendors.

In other cities such as Harare, Gweru, Mutare and towns such as Marondera, some business people have closed shop complaining over unfair competition from people who do not pay rentals and tax.

Bulawayo's model, however, dispels some arguments that illegal vending is directly related to unemployment.