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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 28661, member: 2262"] Vendors want to talk with officials about the recent 48-hour order to leave illegal selling spots. The government started this nationwide effort to stop unregulated trading because of health, safety, and money concerns. Daniel Garwe, the Local Government and Public Works Minister, shared this plan Wednesday, saying cities need more order. Many sellers across Bulawayo and beyond have asked for better conversations with those in charge. Sawu Jere, who speaks for Bulawayo vendors, said they accept the need for rules but believe everyone should work together on lasting answers. He pointed out that since their jobs hang in the balance, sellers must help make these decisions. Jere explained that vendors stand ready to address the real reasons behind illegal trading. He wants a middle path that respects both what the government needs and what everyday sellers face. Benhilda Zinyemba sells items at Fifth Avenue marketplace and likes what the government aims to do. Yet she highlighted problems with how selling spaces get handed out. She said officials gave them this location but then overlooked people who applied properly for spots. Instead, unknown people received selling bays. Zinyemba thinks the two-day deadline should only apply to people working in completely unauthorized areas. Vusumuzi Mabhena, who sells used clothes, begged officials to change their minds since street selling keeps many alive. Nicholas Gombera, a vegetable seller, agreed. He stressed that selling on streets remains their only way to make money, and removing them would hurt countless families. Gombera pleaded for leaders to show mercy since they could not leave the streets within just 48 hours. David Coltart, the mayor of Bulawayo, explained that the city has created proper selling areas, but some vendors refuse to use them. He mentioned that hundreds of bays exist throughout the city. For example, space at Bhakta's includes working bathrooms. Coltart clarified that these spots belong only to actual Bulawayo residents. The city plans to check who received stands during previous giveaways. Coltart wants better law and order across the city. During this operation, police and vendor groups will team up since municipal officers cannot make arrests. The mayor promised the cleanup would happen with kindness and asked sellers to help. In Midlands Province, Everisto Mbenjani leads the Gweru Vendors Association and complained about the short notice, leaving little time to find new places. Mbenjani stressed that they sell on the streets out of necessity, not choice. He asked officials to build proper stalls instead of playing cat-and-mouse games. Takarangana Keta, the Zvishavane Mayor, counted more than 1,000 legal vendors but about 800 operating against rules. He said they started moving illegal sellers away from the streets and enlisted police help to enforce these rules. Trust Chikohora, a local money expert, supported clearing vendors from shop walkways but emphasized selling should happen in appropriate locations. He argued shop sidewalks should never have become selling spots. Although vendors need to earn money, they require proper areas with good facilities like bathrooms. Chikohora urged both national and local leaders to create alternative spaces. Denford Mutashu from the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers acknowledged street selling happens worldwide but needs better control. He said vendors help the economy but lack regulation in Zimbabwe, which demands careful handling. Mutashu compared this to China, where special malls exist for vendors organized by what they sell. He wants to stop lawbreaking, especially where young children end up recruited. Mutashu worried about downtown areas in Harare and Bulawayo where children get pulled into selling, exposing them to drugs and prostitution. He called for restored law and order beyond just selling but across many business activities. His ultimate goal matches what local authorities want - properly regulated and tracked economic activities throughout the country. [/QUOTE]

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