Mugabe urged to stop assault on vendors

Just a day after President Robert Mugabe came out openly in support of the violent removal of informal traders who have flooded the country's cities and towns, an international human rights group has urged restraint.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) yesterday urged government to "work with vendors". Police harassment and arrests of street vendors has rapidly escalated in recent weeks since the Harare City Council launched its 'clean-up campaign'.

Dewa Mavhinga, senior Africa researcher at HRW said the lack of a vending licence is no grounds for beating and jailing people who are desperate to earn a living.