Leave small vendors alone

Zimbabwe Unemployed People's Association [ZUPA] which represents the interests of the millions of Zimbabweans who need jobs and a better livelihood call upon authorities and other organs of the state to leave the vendors alone. We believe that vending is made up of many Zimbabweans, who have suffered due to lack of employment opportunities and perceived lack of capacity, willingness or commitment by Government then and now to assist millions of ordinary citizens to get jobs. We strongly believe that as a nation there is need to promote an environment that will attract investment, grow the economy and create jobs.

A few days ago, ZUPA learnt with great shock the news regarding the conduct of overzealous police officers at Sekusile Shopping centre. If true, we strongly condemn the behaviour of the Police We are appalled by the rapid deterioration of professionalism in our officials. Some of these acts may constitute crimes against humanity and must be investigated swiftly, so that the perpetrators are held accountable. We call for the depoliticisation of vendor activities and for all the vendors nationwide to remain calm, engage local leadership as a way of mapping the way forward. We ask politicians to sing from the same hymn sheet on this issue in a way that will give confidence to vendors and the generality of the public.  
 
The conduct of these officers if true, leave us with no option but to  believe that the  only reason some people get involved in politics or law enforcement  is to invoke power onto others for good or bad. We are making this comment about an article in Bulawayo24 where members of the public were complaining about being in constant violation and victimisation by the police.  We believe if someone followed these officers, they might find don't exactly represent the government or any well-meaning government officials.
 
The problem we are likely to have in this country is that small businesses will be disrupted, destroyed and this will cost our economy a lot.  It is the small business owners and vendors who are putting money back into our ailing economy through buying supplies such as top up cards, dry goods, food products, employing people and feeding their families. When is this extremism by public officials going to end and leave hard working vendors, unemployed people alone. We believe the government must come out with ways of ensuring a genuine, transparent and non-partisan process to attend to the plight of the vendors and allow them to continue doing business as usual.