Govt gear up for another Murambatsvina

Government is due to launch another controversial Murambatsvina as it has issued a seven day ultimatum to illegal vendors in cities and towns.

Illegal vendors have been urged to leave the streets or risk arrest as the government moves in to restore order.

The one week ultimatum ends on Sunday after which law enforcers would descend on the streets to smoke out all pockets of resistance, Herald reported.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, Ignatius Chombo said : "We've agreed that by next Monday, vendors should be at designated places. This applies to all cities and towns,".

He said this while addressing mayors, town clerks and senior officials for local authorities across the country as well as representatives of vendors association in the capital.

"As the responsible authority in your respective councils, I expect you to restore order in this area with immediate effect. I've written to the Minister of Home Affairs and henceforth you can expect the Zimbabwe Republic Police to cooperate with you in your efforts to confine vending to designated sites,"

"It's also my desire that you will make every effort to create as much space as possible for use by the small and medium enterprise sector so that your residents can make an honest living by operating in a hygienic, dignified and legal manner."

Last year, during her ‘meet the people' rallies, the First Lady Grace Mugabe warned the police against arresting vendors and cross boarder traders.

Grace said the vendors were operating in line with the ZimASSET, the country's economic blue print which seeks to empower the majority.