In a bid to safeguard the rights and livelihoods of thousands of street vendors, a motion has been tabled in Parliament seeking to enact protective legislation.
The motion, presented by Norton legislator Richard Tsvangirai on Wednesday last week, has highlighted the critical role vendors play in the development and creation of economic opportunities in urban areas.
The motion seeks to address the challenges faced by vendors, including the loss of merchandise and trading spaces, as well as the lack of protective legislative measures.
The proposed legislation aims to designate vending zones, provide for vendor registration, and protect against arbitrary confiscation of vendors’ merchandise.
The motion comes amid ongoing concerns about the treatment of vendors by local authorities. Many vendors have complained of harassment, confiscation of goods, and lack of access to proper working spaces.
Tsvangirai stated: “ACKNOWLEDGING the critical role played by vendors in the development and creation of economic opportunities among communities, particularly in urban areas;
“MINDFUL that the State has an obligation to provide support to its citizens and in particular to empower vendors rather than impede on their developmental activities;
“CONCERNED at the loss of vendors’ merchandise which is usually confiscated by local authorities and the loss of trading spaces depriving them of their livelihoods;
“DISTURBED by the absence of protective legislative measures for such vendors who are normally left at the mercy of local authorities:
“NOW, THEREFORE, calls upon this House to enact legislation that- (a) designates vending zones; (b) provides for a vendor registration process; (c) protects against arbitrary confiscation of vendors’ merchandise.”
The Harare City Council recently acknowledged the need to amend outdated by-laws that have been used to arrest and harass street vendors.
Stanley Gama, the council’s spokesperson, said that the council was actively working to amend irrelevant by-laws and eliminate obsolete regulations.
“We have written to the Attorney-General’s office indicating our intentions to either amend or scrap certain by-laws. Some of the by-laws need to be aligned with the Constitution. We are yet to get the responses on this issue.
“The process is very long but we are still pushing,” he said.
Tichakunda Mhiko, a vendor in Harare’s CBD, said he hoped that the motion would bring an end to their suffering.
“As a vendor, I have experienced firsthand the harassment and confiscation of my goods by municipal police,” he said.
“It’s a relief to see Parliament taking steps to protect our rights and livelihoods. We are not just vendors, we are entrepreneurs who contribute to the economy and provide for our families. I hope this motion will bring an end to the suffering we have endured for so long.”
