Bulawayo City Council decided against tough action on street vendors after the Government told them to clear the streets within 48 hours. Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu explained they want to move vendors to proper spots first before making anyone leave. The city already started this process before the government deadline came down. They plan to transfer all sellers from 5th Avenue and other places to legal trading areas like Bakta's and Egodini.
City leaders have almost finished moving registered vendors to official spots built by the council. They will team up with Zimbabwe police later to enforce rules since municipal officers can't arrest people. Numbers show most vendors lack proper permits to sell goods legally. Out of 3,416 total selling spaces downtown, 3,279 have someone using them, but only 244 sellers actually paid for licenses.
The city has sixteen different vendor zones downtown. Between Lobengula Street and Herbert Chitepo, from 6th to 8th Avenue, 814 spaces exist, but just twelve sellers have licenses. At the Highlanders site, 720 spaces have people selling, but only 184 paid for permits. Every single vendor at Baktas corner, along with everyone at 6th Avenue and Lobengula Street, lacks proper paperwork.
The Bulawayo Traders and Vendors Association wants talks between the government and sellers instead of harsh rules. Director Michael Ndiweni believes everyone should work together on issues like trash and following laws. He thinks night selling could help the economy if managed correctly. Resident leader Winos Dube praised the government action as necessary to clean up the city after years of messy street selling had made things chaotic.
City leaders have almost finished moving registered vendors to official spots built by the council. They will team up with Zimbabwe police later to enforce rules since municipal officers can't arrest people. Numbers show most vendors lack proper permits to sell goods legally. Out of 3,416 total selling spaces downtown, 3,279 have someone using them, but only 244 sellers actually paid for licenses.
The city has sixteen different vendor zones downtown. Between Lobengula Street and Herbert Chitepo, from 6th to 8th Avenue, 814 spaces exist, but just twelve sellers have licenses. At the Highlanders site, 720 spaces have people selling, but only 184 paid for permits. Every single vendor at Baktas corner, along with everyone at 6th Avenue and Lobengula Street, lacks proper paperwork.
The Bulawayo Traders and Vendors Association wants talks between the government and sellers instead of harsh rules. Director Michael Ndiweni believes everyone should work together on issues like trash and following laws. He thinks night selling could help the economy if managed correctly. Resident leader Winos Dube praised the government action as necessary to clean up the city after years of messy street selling had made things chaotic.
