By Natasha Justin
The National Vendors Union Zimbabwe, (NAVUZ) yesterday dismissed Minister Chombo and Vice President Mphoko over making reckless utterances about the vending enterprise in Zimbabwe.
The two senior government officials engaged in an ill-informed campaign that discredited vending without offering alternatives to the current unemployment crisis in the country which is believed to be over 90%.
It has become a well known norm that most people are into vending not by choice but they are just trying to make ends meet in an economy that’s fluctuating.
Speaking at the press conference NAVUZ Chairman Sten Zvorwadza highlighted that as the vendors union, they would present their grievances to SADC and AU if the government continues to forcefully remove vendors from their current vending sites.
“We will not hesitate to approach Southern African Development Committee (SADC) and (AU) African Union for help if the Zimbabwean government decides to militarise vending at this juncture”, said Sten Zvorwadza
“The army and Police have no business in the regularization of the vending enterprise in Zimbabwe”, added Mr Zvorwadza.
Recent statistics by NAVUZ shows that Harare has only 12 vending sites that can accommodate a paltry 1100 vendors when there are more than 20 000 vendors in Harare’s CBD alone.
“Minister Chombo wants to treat vendors as criminals”, narrated Zvorwadza.
He went on to encourage the minister to embrace vending as an alternative employment avenue as street vendors have become the integral component of urban economies of developed countries around the world.
Zimsentinel conducted interviews with some concerned citizens who were disturbed by the Vice President’s sentiments.
“Mr Mphoko should concentrate more in coming up with practical solutions in ending rampant unemployment in the country, it is possible that 40% of the vendors have degrees”, said Marry Mpofu.
Considering that the leader of NAVUZ spoke fluent English, it was evident that many of these vendors are educated underemployed Zimbabweans who have fallen victim of poor government economic policies.
Another concerned vendor, Rutendo Chipfunde said “The government officials should talk about creating jobs not castigating the poor who are trying to make ends meet”.
The campaign by Minister Chombo and Vice President Mphoko also runs contrary to the national objectivity of promoting self reliance as set out in section 13 of the Constitution.
It is also a direct attack to the ruling party’s economic blue print ZIMASSET which stipulates that people must be self reliant and create their own jobs. When a government delegates or neglects its duties of creating an environment that is conducive for job creation, it must be willing to deal with issues such as increase of vendors on the streets.
