Heal Zimbabwe condemns army ultimatum on vendors

Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) has condemned the recent pronouncement made by Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, Ignatius Chombo that vendors operating in alleged undesignated vending sites should vacate within seven days or risk arrests. The seven day "ultimatum" expires on Monday the 8th June 2015.

"The move will affect many unemployed citizens who have turned to vending as a source of livelihood. The economic meltdown has seen massive retrenchments, company closures and the rise in the cost of living which has relegated many to vending. Many vendors rely on vending as the only source of income from which they manage to earn money for food, rentals and school fees for their families," said HZT in a statement.

HZT said the directive by Minister Chombo also warned vendors that if they do not vacate the streets where they are selling their wares and relocate to designated vending sites, within the 7 days, the Joint Operations Command (JOC) "would deal with them".

"The move by Government to use the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to intimidate innocent civilians who are just trying to earn a decent living is a direct violation of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Section 211 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that, " said HZT. "The Defence Forces must respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons and be non-partisan and be subordinate to the civilian authority..." The use of the Defence Forces who are not ordinarily mandated to maintain law and order is uncalled for. The Government should rather channel its energies on revamping industries from which most of the jobs come from."

HZT said in addition, Section 213(2) of the Constitution states that the "...Defence Forces may be deployed in support of the Police Service in the maintenance of public order or in the event of an emergency or disaster...".

"The current scenario where vendors are operating at allegedly undesignated sites does not equate to a public emergency neither does it stand as a threat to public order or state security.," said HZT.

"HZT is of the view that unwarranted attacks on the vendors can degenerate into violence and chaos hence the need for a sober, peaceful and all inclusive approach to the situation."

The organisation said while there are varying explanations as to why the number of vendors is on an upward spiral, the major push factor is the ailing economy.

"Heal Zimbabwe therefore calls upon the Government to channel its energies in resuscitating the economy thus creating more job opportunities for the jobless," said HZT.

"The Government must also hold wider consultations with all interested stakeholders so that innocent Zimbabweans irking a living through vending enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms."