By Memory Mudzani
THE Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) has called on local authorities across Zimbabwe to end alleged abuse of informal traders and provide adequate, affordable and accessible vending spaces.
VISET executive director Samuel Wadzai said the organisation was concerned by reports of vendors being assaulted, sexually harassed, intimidated and having their goods confiscated during municipal enforcement operations.
Speaking to this publication, Wadzai said while councils had a responsibility to enforce by-laws, such operations should respect vendors’ rights and dignity.
“We believe there is a need for stronger accountability mechanisms within municipal enforcement structures. Municipal police officers must receive training on human rights, gender sensitivity and appropriate enforcement procedures,” said Wadzai.
He also called for accessible mechanisms through which vendors can safely report alleged abuse and seek redress.
Wadzai said the continued occupation of pavements and other undesignated areas could not be addressed through enforcement alone, arguing that councils needed to provide sufficient trading spaces in locations where vendors could attract customers.
“The challenge goes beyond vendors simply choosing to operate illegally. We need to understand why vendors are occupying undesignated spaces in the first place. If formal markets are insufficient in number, inaccessible, expensive, or located in areas where there is little customer traffic, vendors will inevitably seek spaces where they can earn a livelihood,” he said.
A Gweru vendor, who requested anonymity, alleged that she was recently subjected to physical abuse by municipal police officers during an enforcement operation.
She said vendors understood that trading in undesignated areas was against council regulations but argued that enforcement officers should treat them with dignity.
The vendor also alleged that confiscated goods were sometimes poorly handled, resulting in losses for traders who paid fines to recover their merchandise.
She said Gweru’s formal market spaces were inadequate to accommodate the growing number of informal traders, including graduates who have turned to vending amid limited employment opportunities.
The vendor further alleged that some traders were able to secure market bays through personal connections at the council but no independent evidence was provided to substantiate the claim.
She also said some designated markets were located in areas with limited customer traffic, forcing traders to operate on the streets despite the risk of enforcement.
Wadzai urged local authorities to involve vendors in identifying suitable trading areas and designing markets that are commercially viable.
He called for transparent and affordable licensing and allocation systems, saying vendors should not be pushed into informality because they cannot access formal trading spaces.
He also emphasised the importance of educating vendors about municipal by-laws, licensing requirements, designated trading areas and enforcement procedures.
“Vendor education is extremely important. A vendor who does not understand the relevant by-laws, licensing requirements, designated trading areas and enforcement procedures is vulnerable to exploitation and abuse,” said Wadzai.
He said VISET was continuing to raise awareness among vendors through community engagements, training, dialogue meetings and dissemination of information on their rights and responsibilities.
Wadzai also called on councils to make information on trading regulations readily available to vendors.
“We would like to see councils develop simple, accessible information materials in languages that vendors understand, explaining where they can trade, what permits they require, the applicable fees, their rights during enforcement operations and where they can lodge complaints,” he said.
