Vendor groups across Mutare have backed up the recent action that pushes street sellers off unauthorized spots, mainly those who trade at night. Around 6,000 street merchants run their businesses without proper permits throughout the city. Street sellers have packed the roads along Herbert Chitepo Street from Dangamvura Rank to Spar Supermarket, selling everything from fruits to used clothes.
Street merchants have left official market areas empty, choosing instead busy street corners where more people walk by. The national leadership ordered cities to remove these unauthorized sellers within two days. They pointed out major health risks that might cause disease outbreaks like cholera or typhoid.
Mutare officials met Thursday and started clearing out illegal sellers right away. Mr. Blessing Chafesuka, who runs the city office, stated they must act fast because of possible cholera spread. Mr. Itai Kariparire from the Mutare Informal Traders Association strongly backs this plan to clean up the streets.
Mr. Kariparire mentioned several empty market buildings across Mutare that sit unused. He talked about Sakubva Flea Market, which has space for 1,000 sellers, but less than 20 people use it. The same happens at Mukwena Market, where vendors avoid a nicely built shelter that costs $80,000 and sell outside instead.
The city loses about $6,000 every day because these 6,000 vendors dodge market fees but still want clean water and fixed roads. Shop owners feel happy about this cleanup effort. Mathias Madakadze, who runs a meat shop near Dangamvura Rank, said he understands vendors need money but dislikes how they block his customers.
Agippa Maboreke, who sells clothes nearby, added that street vendors create unfair competition and make it hard for customers to enter stores. City officials plan to make sure all sellers have proper permits and only work in areas with clean bathrooms. Law officers will help enforce these rules to keep things safe and clean.
Street merchants have left official market areas empty, choosing instead busy street corners where more people walk by. The national leadership ordered cities to remove these unauthorized sellers within two days. They pointed out major health risks that might cause disease outbreaks like cholera or typhoid.
Mutare officials met Thursday and started clearing out illegal sellers right away. Mr. Blessing Chafesuka, who runs the city office, stated they must act fast because of possible cholera spread. Mr. Itai Kariparire from the Mutare Informal Traders Association strongly backs this plan to clean up the streets.
Mr. Kariparire mentioned several empty market buildings across Mutare that sit unused. He talked about Sakubva Flea Market, which has space for 1,000 sellers, but less than 20 people use it. The same happens at Mukwena Market, where vendors avoid a nicely built shelter that costs $80,000 and sell outside instead.
The city loses about $6,000 every day because these 6,000 vendors dodge market fees but still want clean water and fixed roads. Shop owners feel happy about this cleanup effort. Mathias Madakadze, who runs a meat shop near Dangamvura Rank, said he understands vendors need money but dislikes how they block his customers.
Agippa Maboreke, who sells clothes nearby, added that street vendors create unfair competition and make it hard for customers to enter stores. City officials plan to make sure all sellers have proper permits and only work in areas with clean bathrooms. Law officers will help enforce these rules to keep things safe and clean.
