Roseline Mutare
Mayor of Masvingo, Cllr Aleck Tabe has urged vendors to operate from their designated points to avoid running battles with authorities.
The Mayor’s call comes as the city has witnessed an influx of vendors operating in undesignated areas, causing congestion and disorder in the Central Business District (CBD). However, Mayor Tabe emphasized that the city council is committed to supporting vendors and creating an enabling environment for them to thrive.
“We want to work with the vendors, not against them, by operating from designated areas, vendors will be able to sell their goods without fear of harassment or arrest. We believe that this will not only improve the city’s appearance but also enhance the livelihoods of our vendors,” said Tabe.
The City of Masvingo has only two designated vending sites in town, which are Chitima and Takawira.
Sources told The Midweek Watch that the new Charumbira CBD is likely to have more vending sites and there are plans to create some more vending sites in town which accommodate few vendors for the convenience of customer found in places like the Magistrates Court and Masvingo Sports Club areas.
The Garikai (Chitima) Fruit and Vegetable Market has been hailed as a success story, with over 530 vendors operating from the site and enjoying a steady stream of customers.
Recently vendors selling their wares at undesignated selling points in the CBD and high density suburbs have engaged in running battles with the local authority, but the municipal police have relented following an outcry and violence outbreaks at places like Sisk in Mucheke.
