News / National
Vendors warn of civil unrest in Zimbabwe
16 Jul 2015 at 16:48hrs | Views
A Zimbabwean union of vendors has reportedly warned that the continued harassment of its members by municipal police could spark civil unrest in the southern African country, News24 reported.
This follows weeks of protests by vendors in Harare against plans by city authorities to drive them off pavements, where increasing numbers of the unemployed are trying to make a living.
Municipal police have, according to reports, been on the warpath, allegedly beating up vendors who refuse to move to designated sites.
More than 40 people have so far been arrested.
The deteriorating economic situation in Zimbabwe has forced many companies to shut down, leaving many with no option but to turn to petty trading on the streets.
NAVUZ vice chairperson, Douglas Shumbayaonda was quoted as saying: "This is an issue of survival and the vendors will keep coming back to the streets even if you [council police] evict them. However, the continued harassment of the vendors can throw the country into civil strife."
The vendors last week turned their anger on President Robert Mugabe's government by threatening to sabotage it in the 2018 general elections.
This follows weeks of protests by vendors in Harare against plans by city authorities to drive them off pavements, where increasing numbers of the unemployed are trying to make a living.
Municipal police have, according to reports, been on the warpath, allegedly beating up vendors who refuse to move to designated sites.
More than 40 people have so far been arrested.
The deteriorating economic situation in Zimbabwe has forced many companies to shut down, leaving many with no option but to turn to petty trading on the streets.
NAVUZ vice chairperson, Douglas Shumbayaonda was quoted as saying: "This is an issue of survival and the vendors will keep coming back to the streets even if you [council police] evict them. However, the continued harassment of the vendors can throw the country into civil strife."
The vendors last week turned their anger on President Robert Mugabe's government by threatening to sabotage it in the 2018 general elections.
Source - news24
