WOZA warn Chombo - vendors are not moving

THE militant Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) outfit has instructed Bulawayo mayor Martin Moyo to inform Local government minister Ignatius Chombo that vendors will not vacate their illegal vending sites by Friday.

WOZA through its national coordinator Jennifer Williams today formally handed over an open letter to Moyo urging him to advise Chombo of their stance.

They said Chombo should be reminded that Zimbabwe's constitution protects the right to earn a living with dignity.

Below is part of the letter seen by Bulawayo24.com:

"Your Worship, you must know that Zimbabweans are not vendors by choice but by the fact that they are unable to secure employment despite the election promise of millions of jobs.

"You were elected mayor of Bulawayo – a city that was once the industrial capital of Zimbabwe. Bulawayo has been directly and indirectly marginalised by the ruling  Zanu PF policy makers beginning with the overt campaign  Gukurahundi and then continuing with the subtle disenfranchisement resulting in closing of factories and massive loss of jobs pushing people who want to stay at home into the informal markets.

"You must know that residents of Bulawayo consider Minister Chombo as disrespectful of  the role of the office of Executive Mayor and the  Bulawayo city council as an autonomous body with elected and technical people who put Bulawayo at heart and are capable of practicing the culture of Ubuntu in their day to day activities.

"You called vendors to a meeting on Monday at the City hall and WOZA members were present along with many vendors and their union representatives. WOZA shares the common position that we will not move off the streets until we have raised for many years are addressed. As our Executive mayor we appreciate the steps you have taken to engage vendors but this must continue and improve.

"Please now formally tell Minister Chombo that Bulawayo City council will not implement the ultimatum. Council will rather continue to talk to and find common interests of council and informal trader4s and their representatives to find a sane, amicable solution in a nonviolent way. Please remind Minister Chombo that Zimbabwe's constitution protects the right to earn a living with dignity.

"If the police start to conduct a violent removal of vendors, it is women who will face the harsh pain of the baton sticks first as they are not as mobile as man due to their gender. We expect you to refuse to allow violence in your streets under any circumstances".