Zanu PF warlords swindle thousands of dollars from Harare vendors - MDC-T

MDC-T has told rival Zanu PF warlords to stop collecting money from vendors as the cash does not find its way into the official coffers of the city council.

MDC National spokesperson Obert Gutu said in a statement that vrtually all the money that is paid by vendors on a daily basis is diverted to personal coffers of Zanu PF warlords.

"Sithembiso Nyoni, the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises of the beleaguered and faction - ridden Zanu PF regime, recently made a startling revelation to the effect that the Harare City Council rakes in at least $36 000 daily from vendors.

"In fact, the amount that vendors are paying every day runs into thousands of dollars; way more than $100 000 daily. However, the money that is paid by Harare vendors does not find its way into the official coffers of the city council. Virtually all the money that is paid by vendors on a daily basis is diverted to personal coffers of Zanu PF warlords. This is an indisputable fact," said Gutu.

He said although the city authorities try to restore a semblance of order and cleanliness on the streets of the capital city, Zanu PF warlords are in the notorious habit of taking over the money paid by vendors in a scam that has made Harare operate like a fiefdom of a few politically well - connected Zanu PF chefs and some other such regime apologists.

"These Zanu PF operatives have privatised the income that should be channelled to the official coffers of the municipality.

 "It is, thus, insincere and misleading for Sithembiso Nyoni to blame the city council authorities for failing to rehabilitate the infrastructure that is used by vendors in Harare. Sthembiso Nyoni is fully aware of the chaos and mayhem that is perpetrated by the Zanu PF warlords in Harare.

 "She should not be allowed to shed crocodile tears. Instead of being part of the solution, Sthembiso Nyoni is actually fast becoming part of the problem. She has to be brought to order,"