Zanu-PF force-marches Bulawayo vendors

BULAWAYO street vendors yesterday accused Zanu-PF of force-marching them to the Independence Day celebrations held at Barbourfields Stadium.

When NewsDay visited 5th Avenue, vendors along that street confirmed the developments.

"At around 7-8am buses with Zanu-PF people came and forced all the vendors to board the buses and go to the stadium. Some, because of fear, boarded the buses," a vendor said.

"We had to close our wares with plastics so that they could not get wet or stolen. Some vendors quickly rushed back home fearing the Zanu-PF members would come back."

StreetWise Informal Traders Association director Percy Mcijo said politicians should stop abusing people.

"It is a sad situation to have vendors forced to attend Independence Day celebrations. The problem is that the marketplace where those vendors are sited is illegal and Zanu-PF placed them there. The Bulawayo City Council denied vendors access to that area, but it was Zanu-PF that placed them illegally. Whatever the reasons, they should stop abusing people," Mcijo said.

He said it was unfortunate that the ruling party was taking advantage of people due to the poverty prevailing in the country.

"People are doing illegal things every time not because they want to, but because of the situation in the country. Government should improve the situation in the country so that people do not suffer like this," he added.

It has become norm that people are bussed by political parties to attend political events.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa was not reachable for comment on his mobile yesterday.

This was the first time since Independence in 1980 that the celebrations were held in Bulawayo.