Mzembi, Kasukuwere on street vendors

Government has called for new and innovative ways to deal with street vendors who are selling their products from undesignated points in the Harare central business district.

This was said by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Walter Mzembi and Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Saviour Kasukuwere who pointed out that the city needs to retain its sunshine status as government fights to rebrand the country.

Harare which used to be a sunshine city with clean and clear streets has been turned into a vendor's mall as people sell their products on undesignated places all over the city.

Mzembi said his ministry in its endeavour to rebrand the country with Harare as the face of the nation has received disturbing complaints from tourists of how vendors are obstructing traffic, selling on undesignated sites where there are no toilet facilities.

He, however, called for new innovative ways of dealing with the matter.

"We represent a brand to the world and that brand is being undermined. Local and international tourists have complained we are de-branding. City vendors should trade at designated points," said Mzembi.

Kasukuwere said city vending is allowed but on designated places and that it should be encouraged in a way that promotes health.

Vendors utilise every available space on the street pavements to sell fish, rat poison, airtime, clothing, fruits, vegetables and cell phone accessories.

The chaos brought about by vending, both legal and illegal has turned the Harare central business district into an eye sore and is undermining its sunshine city status that peaked in the 1980s and 1990s during which time the city was a marvel to behold.