News / National
Bindura residents demand immediate suspension of Operation Chenesai
49 mins ago |
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BINDURA - Residents, vendors and community stakeholders in Bindura have called on the municipality to immediately suspend Operation Chenesai, arguing that the ongoing demolitions are threatening livelihoods and exposing vulnerable families to hardship during the rainy season.
In a statement distributed by the Patriotic Vendors4ED National Information and Publicity Desk in Mashonaland Central on November 8, 2026, stakeholders said they supported efforts to maintain cleanliness, order and public safety but opposed the demolition of vending structures before alternative trading spaces were provided.
"Operation Chenesai should be suspended with immediate effect until further notice. We understand the need for cleanliness and order, but it should not proceed without giving affected people suitable alternative places to conduct their businesses and livelihoods," the statement read.
The stakeholders warned that demolishing vending sites without providing alternatives would worsen economic challenges for families that rely on informal trading as their main source of income.
"Do not demolish our tables today and promise us a place tomorrow. Give us a place to work first, then we will move with dignity and respect. That is all we are asking for," they said.
They urged Bindura Municipality to adopt what they described as a humane, consultative and practical approach that balances urban management objectives with the protection of livelihoods.
Mashonaland Central Patriotic Vendors4ED chairman Lucky Kapya, popularly known as Sigola Amakhosi Tunje, said the operation had created uncertainty among vendors and other affected groups.
Kapya appealed for authorities to consider the economic realities facing informal traders and their families.
"His Excellency, Dr ED Mnangagwa, is a caring President. He is a father. He will never rejoice to see his children becoming homeless destitutes and vendors becoming poorer than ever before," he said.
He said the organisation stood in solidarity with vendors, residents, affiliate groups and Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe.
Kapya also welcomed comments recently made by Super Mandiwanzira regarding demolitions, describing them as encouraging.
"We do applaud Hon Super Mandiwanzira's recent speech pertaining to the ongoing demolitions. His statement was really touching, Godly and encouraging," he said.
Meanwhile, Patriotic Vendors4ED national chairman Sawu Jere urged vendors across the country's provinces to consider pooling resources to establish modern vending infrastructure.
"As Patriotic Vendors4ED in all our 10 provinces, let us come together and build our own modern vending structures in all our respective wards, in solidarity with Vision 2030," said Jere.
"We do not need to wait for our local councils to build those modern structures in all our designated vending sites. Our agreed contributions in all our sites will make a difference."
He added that the organisation was willing to engage local authorities over the development of vending facilities and modern trading spaces.
Stakeholders maintained that suitable alternative trading areas should be identified and allocated before any further enforcement measures are implemented.
They argued that protecting the livelihoods of informal traders is essential for sustaining families and communities while promoting economic activity.
Operation Chenesai has become a subject of debate in Bindura, highlighting the tension between municipal efforts to enforce by-laws and calls from vendors for inclusive solutions that safeguard livelihoods.
In a statement distributed by the Patriotic Vendors4ED National Information and Publicity Desk in Mashonaland Central on November 8, 2026, stakeholders said they supported efforts to maintain cleanliness, order and public safety but opposed the demolition of vending structures before alternative trading spaces were provided.
"Operation Chenesai should be suspended with immediate effect until further notice. We understand the need for cleanliness and order, but it should not proceed without giving affected people suitable alternative places to conduct their businesses and livelihoods," the statement read.
The stakeholders warned that demolishing vending sites without providing alternatives would worsen economic challenges for families that rely on informal trading as their main source of income.
"Do not demolish our tables today and promise us a place tomorrow. Give us a place to work first, then we will move with dignity and respect. That is all we are asking for," they said.
They urged Bindura Municipality to adopt what they described as a humane, consultative and practical approach that balances urban management objectives with the protection of livelihoods.
Mashonaland Central Patriotic Vendors4ED chairman Lucky Kapya, popularly known as Sigola Amakhosi Tunje, said the operation had created uncertainty among vendors and other affected groups.
Kapya appealed for authorities to consider the economic realities facing informal traders and their families.
"His Excellency, Dr ED Mnangagwa, is a caring President. He is a father. He will never rejoice to see his children becoming homeless destitutes and vendors becoming poorer than ever before," he said.
Kapya also welcomed comments recently made by Super Mandiwanzira regarding demolitions, describing them as encouraging.
"We do applaud Hon Super Mandiwanzira's recent speech pertaining to the ongoing demolitions. His statement was really touching, Godly and encouraging," he said.
Meanwhile, Patriotic Vendors4ED national chairman Sawu Jere urged vendors across the country's provinces to consider pooling resources to establish modern vending infrastructure.
"As Patriotic Vendors4ED in all our 10 provinces, let us come together and build our own modern vending structures in all our respective wards, in solidarity with Vision 2030," said Jere.
"We do not need to wait for our local councils to build those modern structures in all our designated vending sites. Our agreed contributions in all our sites will make a difference."
He added that the organisation was willing to engage local authorities over the development of vending facilities and modern trading spaces.
Stakeholders maintained that suitable alternative trading areas should be identified and allocated before any further enforcement measures are implemented.
They argued that protecting the livelihoods of informal traders is essential for sustaining families and communities while promoting economic activity.
Operation Chenesai has become a subject of debate in Bindura, highlighting the tension between municipal efforts to enforce by-laws and calls from vendors for inclusive solutions that safeguard livelihoods.
Source - Byo24News
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