Harare – Illegal vendors who sell their wares on Harare’s central business district street pavements have defied a government ban on vending as they continue with their activities.
A survey by Timely News crew around the capital’s streets showed vendors were selling vegetables, clothes, fish, roasting maize cobs, selling beer, rat poison among many other items.
Despite raids by the police and municipal police officers, the vendors have remained defiant by continuing to operate on street pavements.
Last week, Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe gave illegal vendors a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate the central business districts of urban centres across the country.
Garwe said night time vendors were a menace as they have congested street pavements.
Garwe gave the order at a press conference attended by Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume.
Zimbabwe’s economic crisis has resulted in jobless people of different age groups embarking in vending as a means of survival.
High unemployment has resulted in people resorting to hawking across the country.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has been failing to grow the economy by bringing much needed investment that will bring jobs to an estimated 80 percent unemployed population.
A vendor who spoke to Timely News said hard times forced him to sell tomatoes on street pavements.
“I do not have any other option in life that is why I am selling tomatoes on this pavement. If I was formally employed, I wouldn’t be here selling tomatoes,” the vendor said on condition of anonymity.