Women vendors petition Mafume over wares confiscation

Harare's women vendors, with the support of the Women's Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (Walpe), have formally petitioned Mayor Jacob Mafume regarding the ongoing confiscation of their wares by municipal police. The petition highlights the negative impact these actions have on the livelihoods of many women in the city who depend on vending as their primary source of income.

Walpe, an organization dedicated to empowering women through transformative leadership training, is working closely with these vendors to teach essential skills such as leadership, effective representation, advocacy, and governance. The petition addresses the growing concern that the city's municipal authorities have been seizing goods from female vendors, a practice that has had severe consequences for the women, many of whom are unable to recover their goods or find alternative vending spaces.

Mafume confirmed that he had received the petition and assured that it would be tabled at the next council meeting. In his response, he acknowledged the challenges faced by informal traders, especially women, who make up a significant portion of Harare's vending population. He pointed out that the city's informal economy has become a vital part of its operations, and the lack of designated selling areas has led to recurring confrontations between vendors and municipal authorities.

"We have received a petition from Walpe regarding the confiscation of goods from female vendors. As we know, our economy is largely informal, and there is a shortage of designated selling areas. This has resulted in a recurring ‘cat and mouse' situation between vendors and municipal authorities," Mafume stated.

He further acknowledged the devastating impact the confiscation of goods has on the vendors, many of whom rely on their vending for daily survival. In light of this, he emphasized the need for solutions that would address both the operational challenges of waste management and the vendors' rights to earn a livelihood.

"We will consider the creation of a dispute resolution mechanism and a platform for dialogue between council and vendors. Our goal is to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement," Mafume added. "While we are concerned about waste management and operations in undesignated areas, we must also consider the serious implications of confiscating goods on the vendors' livelihoods."

Walpe has committed to following up on the petition to ensure that the concerns raised by the vendors are addressed appropriately and that a fair and sustainable resolution is achieved.

The petition has sparked discussions on the need for more designated vending spaces and clearer policies that protect the livelihoods of informal traders, particularly women, who play a crucial role in Harare's economy.