Heal Zimbabwe condemns violence against vendors

Heal Zimbabwe Trust has expressed its great concern over running battles between the Harare Municipal Police and vendors.

The Trust said on the 9th of July 2015, 30 vendors were arrested after authorities had resorted to the use of force to evict them.

"On the same day, goods worth thousands of dollars belonging to vendors were burnt, allegedly by the Harare Municipal Police," said the Trust.

"The Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is in the process of removing vendors from the streets to the new designated places in a bid to decongest the city."

The Trust said while the idea to formalising street vending is noble, violent and barbaric actions by the Municipal Police are unjustifiable.

"The use of force against innocent vendors has the potential to culminate into civil unrest. The issue of vendors' eviction should involve widespread consultation so that a peaceful and fair resolution can be reached," said the Trust.

"Cognisant of the fact that it is the constitutional mandate of the Government to provide and create employment for its citizens, the Government should deliberately put in place policy options that address the key economic issues leading to street vending."

The Trust said high unemployment has rendered many jobless and relegated many to vending.

"Instead of resorting to violence, the Government should be seized with the ostensible responsibility of taking measures to create employment for its citizens who are struggling to fend and provide for their families," the organisation said.

"Heal Zimbabwe implores the Government to exercise great caution in resolving the contentious vending issue and uphold its constitutional mandate of creating employment for its citizens"