Cop seriously injured after clashing with illegal vendors

A Gweru municipal police officer was seriously injured after he was attacked by rowdy vendors who resisted having their wares confiscated as Gweru City Council cracked down on street vendors yesterday.

Council had given vendors up to Sunday to clear the streets following a directive that local authorities should rid the streets of vendors.

At least five vendors were arrested yesterday after council roped in the police to deal with some vendors who turned violent. A snap survey carried out by The Herald yesterday showed that a sizeable number of illegal vendors continued to operate on the streets while they were involved in running battles with the police. There was a fight between municipal police and vendors at the intersection of Main Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue at about 12 pm as the vendors resisted to have their wares confiscated.

Vendors could be seen pelting stones at municipal police. One of the municipal police collapsed after he was hit by a stone in the head and an ambulance was quickly brought to the scene. Some defiant vendors barricaded Leopold Takawira Avenue using litter bins and stones to obstruct patrolling council vehicles. Municipal police and council officials including Chamber Secretary Mr Vakai Chikwekwe, had to scurry for cover as vendors continued to pelt stones at them. Police had to intervene to restore sanity and managed to arrest five suspects. Acting Midlands police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said she was yet to get a report when she was contacted for comment yesterday.

"I'm not aware of the incident. I am yet to get a report but will furnish you with the details once we receive a report," she said. Gweru Town Clerk, Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza confirmed the skirmishes but said she did not have finer details by yesterday evening.

"We had officials on the ground I am yet to get full details of what transpired on the ground," she said.