By Engineer Jacob Kudzai Mutisi
For the last 24 years, massive street vendors have become a common sight in our major cities. While it is great to see people being entrepreneurial and trying to make a living, there is a growing conversation about whether we really need these vendors in our urban spaces. I want to take a moment to express my support for the Minister’s decision to remove these vendors from our city streets. They should follow the same laws as everyone else, after all.
Many vendors operate without proper permits, which is not fair to those businesses that do follow the rules. Legal shops pay for licences and contribute to the economy, while unlicences vendors do not. This creates an uneven playing field, where the hardworking entrepreneurs who abide by the law are at a disadvantage. It leads to crowded streets, making it harder for pedestrians to walk and for cars to navigate.
Another important issue is public health. Many of these vendors do not have the proper sanitation standards, which can pose serious risks to people’s health. Imagine buying food from a stall that is not clean or where the food is not stored properly. It is not just an inconvenience, it can lead to foodborne illnesses. We ought to prioritise the health and safety of our citizens above all else.
Additionally, vendors often take up valuable public space. When they set up their stalls everywhere, it makes our cities look messy and unorganised. Imagine trying to get around with so much clutter everywhere it is frustrating! We want our cities to be welcoming places where people can enjoy themselves, shop and move freely.
Instead of allowing vendors to set up anywhere, we can create designated areas for them to operate legally and safely. This way, they can still earn a living while keeping our streets clean and orderly. By having proper regulations in place, we can ensure that vendors are contributing positively to the economy without disrupting city life.
It is crucial for us to work together to make Zimbabwe great again. Every citizen must understand that following the law is essential, regardless of their circumstances. Removing unregulated vendors from our streets is just one step towards a more organised and thriving urban environment.
We need to ensure that our cities are safe, clean and fair for everyone. Supporting the removal of unlicensed vendors is about creating a better future, where all economic activities can flourish under the rule of law. Let us unite and build a Zimbabwe that we can all be proud of.