THE Zimbabwe Informal Sector Organisation (Ziso) has urged newly-appointed Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere to widely consult stakeholders instead of taking a radical approach of unleashing violence on street vendors.
BY NQOBILE BHEBHE
In a statement, Ziso accused Kasukuwere of being overzealous and cast aspersions over his grasp of numerous laws governing operations of the informal sector, saying the recent arbitrary arrest of over 53 vendors in Harare was uncalled for and a clear declaration of war.
This follows Kasukuwere’s recent threat to flush out vendors from the central business districts of most urban centres after they ignored the June 26 deadline given by former Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo.
“Barely a week into office minister Kasukuwere has made haste decisions with far reaching consequences.
“It is clear that he was guided by zeal of a new office than common sense,” Ziso said in statement.
“His time in the new portfolio is too short to have understood the real issues of vendors.
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“It is doubtful whether he has studied any of the numerous laws governing the informal sector.
“Kasukuwere is encouraged to take some time to fully appraise himself with the issues on the table.
“To effectively do this, Kasukuwere should consult all the stakeholders involved, including the technocrats in his ministry, urban councils, residents and informal sector associations,”
Ziso said it should be remembered that his impetuous actions in the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment led to disastrous consequences.
“To date, Parliament is seized with investigations running into millions of dollars of contracts hastily allocated without going to tender,” the association said.
“In addition, CBZ and CABS banks are still struggling to recover loans hurriedly approved by Kasukuwere to youths affiliated to his party. “Kasukuwere learnt nothing and forgot nothing.
“He continues on his deluded path with grave consequences for the vendors and the country at large.
“We urge the minister to exercise restraint and take time to fully reflect and absorb the critical issues at hand,”.
Opposition MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said the government should desist from adopting heavy-handed and unlawful methods of dealing with the country’s vending crisis.
“We shall not accept a situation whereby the Zanu PF regime unleashes its security operatives to ruthlessly clamp down on vendors, beating them up, arresting them and also destroying their merchandise,” Gutu said.
“The MDC reiterates that the Zimbabwean economy will never recover in the absence of political legitimacy.
“Mugabe is an illegitimate President after he stole the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections.
“We shall never, ever recognise him as the lawful and legitimate leader of Zimbabwe.”
The MDC-T had previously threatened to join vendors in resisting their eviction to designated vending sites .
