26 nabbed as city cops, vendors clash

By Innocent Ruwende

HARARE – At least 26 illegal vendors were arrested yesterday for stoning Harare municipal police officers who were dismantling an illegal vendors’ tent along Speke Avenue.

Out of the 26, 23 were fined $25 each for “conduct likely to cause breach of peace”, while three remained in custody after they were charged with assault at Harare Central Police Station.

Police at the station denied that the vendors were detained there, but their lawyer Mr Kudzai Kadzere of Kadzere, Hungwe and Mandevere Legal Practitioners confirmed the arrests.

Harare acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi dismissed rumours that two of the vendors died at the police station after being beaten by municipal police.

He said police had not arrested any vendors and that it was possible that municipal police had arrested them and taken them to Harare Central for administrative purposes.

But Mr Kadzere said he visited Harare Central Police station to assist the vendors.

“Some of my clients have just been released after paying fines, but three of them are still in custody after they were charged with assault,” he said.

Municipal police had to use batons to keep the illegal vendors at bay.

The tent had been erected by the National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe (NAVUZ) which is led by Stan Zvorwadza.

The union is on record urging vendors to defy the Government directive to leave the streets and occupy designated sites.

NAVUZ director Mr Samuel Wadzai confirmed that 26 illegal vendors were arrested over the skirmishes.

“Six of them were injured, one is serious, I think he was hit by a blunt object. We have since engaged lawyers to handle the case. We want to make it clear that we do not condone the use of force by authorities. We should begin dialogue.”