No to vending People's Lives.

By: Retlaw Matatu Matorwa

The ultimatum issued by the Minister of Local Government and National Housing, Ignatius Chombo  to vendors demanding that they vacate the streets of Harare attracted mixed reactions from stakeholders.Interestingly, the Minister resorted to employ the services of the national army to enforce the order. Why not municipal or metropolitan police?

In response, the business fraternity view the sporadic mushrooming of vending throughout the city as a threat to their enterprises. OK Stores pays rent and taxes to local authorities; a vendor comes to the streets selling the same merchandise, cheaper because he does not pay overheads costs. Motorists and pedestrians have their own set of challenges related to parking and overcrowded pavements.Vendors  dared the Minister not to vacate the streets they emphasize their occupation is their only means of survival.Notably,The Zimbabwean economy has  nosedived, unemployment rates are soaring  and reaching ubiquitous levels. 

However,does this justify the presence of  illegal vendors in the city center?

Vending is not peculiar to Zimbabwe, it is an acceptable occupation whose method of selling are recognized and accepted world over.  In developed countries, vending machines are placed at street corners, trains stations and other public places. However, these informal sector enterprises are subject to by-laws and regulations. 

By-laws are designed to ensure public order,environmental, health and safety. More so, regulating products which  befits to be sold on the streets, otherwise there is a risk of illegal products finding way into the public hands. It is illegal in most developed to sell pharmaceuticals in the street corners. This is one example of regulating such products in the interest of the public. Vending must be subjected to rules and regulations. 

For Zimbabwe, the issue of vendors requires careful and constructive thought and therefore civil society, government and all stakeholders MUST be honest in conjuring up a solution! We must learn at all times to substitute emotions with reasoning/ critical analysis.

The level of dishonesty and deception exhibited by stakeholders in handling this issue is alarming. Far from seeking a sustainable solution, interest groups seek an opportunity to advance their political mileage and social relevance. The threat of this matter getting hijacked risk affected parties getting a sustainable, long term and futuristic solution. Vendors must never forget the voice which gave them confidence to move into the city center, is the same voice  controlling the army. 
Civil society and representatives of Vendors accuse authorities of breaching their constitutional rights and civil liberties. To clarify this debate of rights and civil liberties; rule of law is a cornerstone of  any democracy, this entails all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law. The Law must be fairly  applied and enforced; the principle of government by law. Put simply the government, agents and its officials as well as individuals are held accountable under the law. So how can we leave vendors to flout the law under the guise of fundamental rights and freedoms? 

Vendors surely have rights but they come with a  corresponding set of responsibilities. They have the responsibility to respect and operate within the framework of the law. Basic guideline to exercising one’s right entails that; one must not infringe upon the rights of others. Vending in front of another persons business does infringe on the rights of other tax payers? 

Civil society must desist from knee jerk reactions in their commenting of issues. No one has done any research on the challenges associated with lawless vending viz-a-viz organized and orderly vending where vendors are allocated stalls and other social amenities like toilets.
Walking the streets of Harare, waste of different forms is all over the city- does this not pause a health and environmental threat? Businesses have resorted to leaving the city center due to the chaos caused by this unregulated practice, real estate industry is crying foul as a result of reduction of property prices in the capital. The few bona- fide businesses remaining compete with vendors selling the same merchandise. 

To this end, Vendors must take a moment  to reflect. Discourage attempts of their agenda being hijack for political expediency on their clock. It is strategic for them to positively explore possibilities of coming up with a win-win solution through engagement and dialogue with authorities. 

Above all I urge Zimbabweans to take stock of our past experiences; history has taught us that national challenges are usually high jacked for political expediency relegating to spectator status those really affected. Government must resolve this matter with the seriousness, honesty and sincerity it requires. Civil society and opposition political players must be objective and responsible in their utterances- it is not a matter of proving a point- Yes we have challenges as a nation, but we must be left with a dignified understanding of differentiating right and wrong.

That is just my thinking- Mafungiro Angu Zvangu!

Black September (2015)