News / National
Community, Shop owners cry foul over Baccosi goods Hawkers
01 Oct 2015 at 13:01hrs | Views
Zvishavane - Shop owners in some rural parts of Zvishavane and Chibi are crying foul over the influx of cheap goods from hawkers from Masvingo and Zvishavane town who usual come and operate at their premises towards month end.
In a survey done by the Mirror, the paper observed that the situation has reached critical level and some local business people are even contemplating engaging the relevant authority over the influx of these hawkers who are now affectionately known as "vehuya uhodhe"(Come and buy in bulk).
"Our businesses are now under threat. These hawkers usually come around the month end when they know that our customers will have something. They sell all their goods at very low prices, leaving us with little or no customers," said a Shop owner identified as Masiziba at Takavarasha growth point in Chivi.
Another Shop owner who requested anonymity said these hawkers must be banned because they are illegally operating at their premises leaving them with no option, but to consider closing or engaging the relevant authority.
"This is our place. We are paying rents and they are not. The council must expedite its work on this issue. We may end up closing our shops because we are no longer having customers," fumed the shop owner.
Contrary to the Shop owners' claim that these hawkers are operating illegally, this paper is reliably informed that the Zvishavane town council licensed these hawkers. According to a recipient at our disposal, these hawkers are paying monthly charges at $5 for the days they do their business at these growth points in Zvishavane and Chibi.
The Mirror also found that it is not only the shop owners who are facing problems with these hawkers, but even some villagers in Mazvihwa communal lands claim to have been duped by these traders.
"They (Hawkers) introduced Feja- Feja and other sorts of criminalities to our people. I also a lot of people losing their money playing Feja-Feja," said Onias Mazvihwa, a villager from Mhototi area in Mazvihwa.
In a survey done by the Mirror, the paper observed that the situation has reached critical level and some local business people are even contemplating engaging the relevant authority over the influx of these hawkers who are now affectionately known as "vehuya uhodhe"(Come and buy in bulk).
"Our businesses are now under threat. These hawkers usually come around the month end when they know that our customers will have something. They sell all their goods at very low prices, leaving us with little or no customers," said a Shop owner identified as Masiziba at Takavarasha growth point in Chivi.
Another Shop owner who requested anonymity said these hawkers must be banned because they are illegally operating at their premises leaving them with no option, but to consider closing or engaging the relevant authority.
"This is our place. We are paying rents and they are not. The council must expedite its work on this issue. We may end up closing our shops because we are no longer having customers," fumed the shop owner.
Contrary to the Shop owners' claim that these hawkers are operating illegally, this paper is reliably informed that the Zvishavane town council licensed these hawkers. According to a recipient at our disposal, these hawkers are paying monthly charges at $5 for the days they do their business at these growth points in Zvishavane and Chibi.
The Mirror also found that it is not only the shop owners who are facing problems with these hawkers, but even some villagers in Mazvihwa communal lands claim to have been duped by these traders.
"They (Hawkers) introduced Feja- Feja and other sorts of criminalities to our people. I also a lot of people losing their money playing Feja-Feja," said Onias Mazvihwa, a villager from Mhototi area in Mazvihwa.
Source - Musavengana Hove
