PF is being inconsistent on street vending - Chituwo
By Fridah Nkonde
Mon 08 Oct. 2012, 14:20 CAT
FORMER local government minister Brian Chituwo says street vending has become a complex problem that will bring about a lot of other problems if left unchecked.
In an interview on Saturday, Dr Chituwo, who is MMD vice-president for administration, said street vending was illegal under the local government Act Chapter 281 of te Laws of Zambia.
"It is actually true that our country is becoming very dirty. Councils and the local government are mandated by law to look after the welfare of the residents. When President Michael Sata was in the Ministry of Local Government and Housing), the law on street vending and other laws like the nuisance Act were there. We expect some of the things to change now that he is President," Dr Chituwo said.
He said it was unfortunate that former local government minister Professor Nkandu Luo, who was just in the process of engaging the street vendors and removing them from the streets, was no longer in the ministry.
Dr Chituwo said there was need for the PF and its government to consider other people's rights because laws were already there.
"It's sad that PF is so inconsistent on issues…today, this minister says this on street vending, and the next day, another minister says the opposite.
There is need for them to just say, 'look, move out of the streets and go to the markets'. This might be very difficult but it is for their own benefit. It's painful but they need to be bold enough to find a lasting solution to this problem. We need some order," he said.
Dr Chituwo said there was also need for the government to ban the manufacturing and selling of plastic bags because they contributed greatly to making the country dirty.
Meanwhile, Dr Chituwo said there was need for people to stop buying from the street vendors, adding that it was unfortunate that Zambians found it very hard to buy from designated places.
Dr Chituwo wondered why it was difficult for Zambians to maintain cleanliness in the country when other countries in the world had managed to do so.
"We need a by-law to stop people from making the country dirty. If a law is put in place, people will be scared of littering the streets, and urinating in the streets because they will be scared of being punished. Just imagine how many people buy from the streets... you will find a lot of people in town buying vegetables and other things through the window when driving," he said.
Dr Chituwo advised the local government ministry to get out of their offices and begin engaging all interested parties so as to render Zambia a cleaner city.
On June 28, 2007, Sylvia Masebo, as Minister of Local Government and Housing issued Statutory Instrument number 44 of 2007 - the Local Government (Street Vending and Nuisances Amendment) Regulations providing for various penalties for various nuisances.
Among the offences and fines include:
Throwing litter on, or along a street or prescribed road (500 penalty units or K90,000);
Defecating in any unauthorised place (2,500 penalty units or K450,000);
Sale of local produce in any street or in any public place, other than a market established by the Council, except with permission of the Council including:
(a) Food
(b) Any other item or produce
(c) Live animals/birds (1,500 units or K270,000);
and Depositing or allowing to accumulate or keeping upon any premises any dirt, filth, refuse, rubbish or any offensive matter likely to become offensive (2,500 units or K450,000).
However, regulations are not enforced and everyone is indiscriminately throwing litter and trading in undesignated places including streets.
Labels: BRIAN CHITUWO, MARKETEERS, PF, SYLVIA MASEBO
Read more...
Malawi vendors cleared off streets, little resistance registered
By Patricia Masinga, Nyasa Times
July 20, 2012
There was tension in the capital city, Lilongwe, where vendors have been successfully moved to designated areas after providing a brief ‘fight’ against police and city officials.
Asian shops were closed in Old Town as the vendors pelted stones at unrelenting police officers and city officials, who kept advancing on them till they succumbed and left the streets. Some were beaten using baton sticks and in one instance a small group of the vendors were treated to a dose of teargas. The police was not intimidated as has been the case before.
Lilongwe streets left clear without street vending
The streets are however now back to normal and business mood has returned, with registered vendors trading peacefully in designated areas around Tsoka market.
In the commercial city of Blantyre the vendors peacefully left the streets and relocated to designated areas, apart from a handful around the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) area that briefly resisted the purge.
July 20
Meanwhile the northern city of Mzuzu experienced a different scenario, where a few vendors traded on the streets, taking advantage of the absence of police officers and city council staff, who may be engaged in the 20th July 2011 commemorations taking place at the Mzuzu Stadium, attended by President Mrs. Joyce Banda.
People feared the timing of the vendor-purge was dangerous as it coincided with 20th July last year, when Malawians took to the streets to protest against late president Bingu wa Mutharika’s political and financial poor governance, leading to the death of about 20 unarmed peacefully marching people.
Around 50 civilians including journalists were beaten and wounded by marauding police and handful police officers were also wounded.
The Mutharika regime is alleged to have ordered the police through former Inspect General Peter Mukhito to shoot using live ammunition at the protestors, after a late night court order tried to stop the planned protests.
Labels: BINGU WA MUTHARIKA, MARKETEERS
Read more...
‘Donchi kubeba' marketeers defy relocation plans
By Joseph Mwenda
Fri 04 May 2012, 14:00 CAT
TRADERS at the unauthorised ‘Donchi Kubeba Market' in Lusaka on Wednesday openly defied local government minister Professor Nkandu Luo and hurled insults against her for suggesting their relocation. And Lusaka mayor Daniel Chisenga says illegal structures such as the ‘Donchi Kubeba Market' were suffocating the city.
During her conducted tour of illegal structures in the city, Prof Luo who was in the company of her deputy Stephen Masumba and Chisenga, said traders at the market would soon be relocated to permanent structures elsewhere.
The traders had earlier warmly welcomed her, seemingly thinking she had some good news for them. The mood among the traders later changed when the minister started talking about relocation.
"We took some time to look at what alternatives we can give to the people who are trading at the ‘Donchi Kubeba Market'. We have finished doing our inventory and we do have a lot of space in the shops for people to go back in. We would like to relocate them to other markets within Lusaka, because that place is an eyesore. It is a health hazard in fact," said Prof Luo.
She observed that Lusaka had a lot of haphazard structures which needed re-organising.
But Prof Luo's call did not fall on obedient ears as traders reacted angrily and hurled insults at the minister and her delegation.
The traders who are believed to be PF supporters complained of victimisation by their own party in government and vowed not to relocate.
The traders said their government, which they had put in power, needed to relocate vendors first before coming to them.
The traders openly told the minister she was enjoying the benefits of a new government more than themselves.
The minister was forced to abandon the meeting because of their unruly behaviour.
Chisenga described the incident as unfortunate.
"Our plan was to engage the traders and consult them on how much time would be sufficient for them to relocate. We suggested one month and we expected them to agree or ask for more time but our colleagues became unruly and started speaking unpalatable language which was very unfortunate, because we as government could have chosen the shorter route to go at 01:00 hours to break that market without the traders," he said.
He said such structures were suffocating the city.
"We are not happy with the way people are suffocating the city. And our members should not look at PF and think it was made by a few people. Zambians across the country voted for change of government and we now have a responsibility as government to make decisions that will benefit all the citizens," he said.
Chisenga also said the government would start repossessing undeveloped land.
"Certain individuals have too much land which they are failing to develop within stipulated time and government has made a decision to repossess such land and empower Zambians because they are raping government. The state of certain buildings leaves much to be desired, people are now building warehouses right in the central business district and we wonder where our learned planners are," said Chisenga.
Labels: MARKETEERS, NKANDU LUO
Read more...
Michael and street vending
By The Post
Sun 22 Apr. 2012, 13:30 CAT
STREET vending is increasingly becoming a big nuisance in Lusaka. Things have clearly gotten out of hand. The situation is even becoming dangerous for the street vendors themselves who have to share space on the streets of the city of Lusaka with motorists. Without much thinking, without serious analysis of the situation, some people are blaming this veritable chaos on Michael Sata who had stopped the Ministry of Local Government from clearing vendors off the streets. But truthfully, is it Michael who has created street vendors?
Is it Michael who is responsible for the lack of formal jobs that has driven our people to street vending for them to simply belong to the living? It is true street vending is a nuisance, it is inconveniencing many people in so many ways.
But for those poor people, in the present circumstances, street vending is their only way to survive. We can't talk to them about the inconveniences of street vending if we are not offering them an alternative way to survive. And we don't think that in his heart of hearts Michael likes to see his people humiliated, dehumanised by living, surviving on the street.
It is something that must actually be agonising him. Michael must be losing a lot of sleep over this issue. By defending the rights of these people to earn a living on the streets, if that's all they can do for now, Michael did not in any way suggest that they should be on the street forever and in this form.
Michael is simply a responsible politician who did not want to push people to nowhere. Michael is an experienced politician. He was local government minister in the early 1990s and had to deal with this problem of street vending.
Michael implemented a government policy to get rid of vendors from the streets of our towns. It failed. The police were set on their own brothers and sisters who had to earn a living. And some of the street vendors came from police camps, were dependants of relatives of police officers.
A policy of setting one humble section of the population against another failed to deliver the desired results. How can one set a poor policeman on another poor person whose only crime is to vend on the street and expect a positive result?
Michael is looking for a just, fair and humane solution to this problem. And he said he was open to co-operate with anyone who could create meaningful jobs for these poor people so that they can leave the street. And most people are not on the street because they want to be there.
They are on the street because they have to be on the street to survive. No one has come up with any meaningful solution to this problem. Banning street vending is the easiest thing a government can do. But here the problem is not that of stopping street vending. It is about the lives of people. It is about ensuring that they have a source of livelihood.
We do appreciate the distressing challenges this whole issue poses to any serious politician in government. We also share the bitter feeling of impotence those in government, people like Michael, have in the face of such problems and their concern for the political and social instability which this problem gives rise to.
So gloomy are the realities and prospects that they could generate pessimism and discouragement if we were not sure of our aims. They are inevitably a bitter pill to swallow, but if we are to face up to the realities, we have first to become aware of them.
We do not have, nor do we think anyone has, magic or instant remedies for such difficult, complex and apparently insoluble problems. However, history shows that no problem has ever been solved until it has become a tangible reality of which everyone is aware.
Today we are faced with the most serious and anguishing problem of poverty and unemployment ever known to our people. But no matter how enormous the difficulties, no matter how complex the task, there can be no room for pessimism.
This would be to renounce all hope and resign ourselves to the final defeat. We have no alternative to struggle, trusting in the great moral and intellectual capacity of our people and in their instinct for self-preservation, if we wish to harbour any hope of a reversal of fortunes.
Only with a tremendous effort and the moral and intellectual support of all can we face a future that objectively appears desperate and sombre, especially for the poorest of our people.
Today's politics is about the welfare of the people, is about putting the lives of our people first. We must built the strong and active society and the leadership that can provide it. We must do it together.
We must work for it together. We must plan for it together. We cannot protect the ordinary by chasing them from the means of their livelihoods; we must protect each other because this can only be done together. Street vending is truly a nuisance.
But it is also a necessary source of income for an increasing number of our people. Let's work to get them out of this humiliation. They are on the street not because they want to be on the street. They need help to get out of the street.
But they must move from the street to somewhere where they can earn the same or even a better income. They don't want to be on the street forever. And we don't want them to be on the street even for a second if we can help it. But we can't move them from the street to nowhere. They have to go somewhere. And they are waiting to be taken somewhere.
Let's advocate for measures that are just, fair and humane. Justice without compassion is not justice at all. Michael doesn't want these people on the streets. But what options does he have for now? And we underline for now. The street is not a permanent solution.
It is actually a desperate one. But this is all our people have offered themselves. And probably this is all their country can offer them for now. We urge our politicians in government to meditate deeply over this issue and find a solution to street vending.
We also urge all Zambians of goodwill to join hands with our political leadership in government and help to find more humane solutions to this problem. Chasing street vendors with policemen won't do. And it didn't do in the past. Michael and others tried it and it failed.
This is probably why Michael is today reluctant to set policemen and other law enforcement officers on these poor street vendors.
Labels: GERRY CHANDA, LCC, MARKETEERS, MICHAEL SATA
Read more...
Vendors have taken government ‘kindness' too far, says Col Chanda
By Allan Mulenga
Sun 22 Apr. 2012, 13:29 CAT
STREET vendors have taken the kindness of the government too far, says Lusaka Province minister Colonel Gerry Chanda. In an interview, Col Chanda observed that there was no sanity in the manner traders were selling their goods.
"There is no sanity, you can see for yourself. It is not for me to say even you can see it for yourself. I mean it is just that we are human and we want to take humanitarian approach to this problem. We allowed it to get to the this situation, we are part and parcel of the problem. In terms, of sanity they have taken advantage of the kindness that the government has provided. I think they have taken it too far," he said.
Col Chanda, who is also Kanyama PF member of parliament, said the government was working out plans to curb street vending.
"We have identified places in Lusaka one of the places is the infamous Don't Kubeba market. I have written to the Lusaka City Council to convene a meeting as soon as possible and also bring on board the vendors themselves, so that we can discuss with them how best we can help them. We have a few solutions which we may float but in the final analysis, we would like to come to an agreement that is acceptable from both sides - from their sides and from our sides. One of the point for example which we will drive home is that I don't think it is ideal to trade at an open place where there is no water; no toilets," he said.
Col Chanda said the government was trying to find ways of relocating vendors to the markets.
"You also know that we have markets which have been abandoned; which are empty. If we can relocate some of our people back into markets and thereafter let the government stiffen up the law on street vending…when people are found on the streets, they will be fined because by that time they would have been given the areas of trading," said Col Chanda.
Labels: GERRY CHANDA, LCC, MARKETEERS
Read more...
Marketeers threaten to stone Chinese in Choma
By Cynthia Phiri in Choma
Fri 23 Mar. 2012, 12:58 CAT
MARKETEERS at Choma's Makalanguzu Market have threatened to stone Chinese nationals who are operating wholesale and retail shops within the premises. The influx of Chinese businessmen has angered the marketeers who are accusing the Chinese nationals of being behind their loss of business due to the cheap products they are selling.
The marketeers who wrote a letter to the district commissioner Golden Nyambe complained that the Chinese had overshadowed their businesses, hence their failure to pay market levies to the council. They urged Nyambe to intervene in the matter, failure to which they would stone the Chinese and riot.
When contacted for a comment, acting town clerk Oliver Muuka said there was nothing wrong with the Chinese operating shops in Choma because they were enjoying the free market economy, provided they had the correct and valid trading licenses from the council.
But the marketeers argued that the Chinese needed to find a way of harmonising their pricing on goods so that they could both enjoy a good share of business.
Labels: CHINESE, CHOMA, MARKETEERS
Read more...
City clashes: Makone's driver in court
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 00:00
Court Reporter
FOUR MDC-T activists, among them Home Affairs co-Minister Theresa Makone's driver and five vendors who recently ran amok in the city centre, assaulting policemen and damaging property at First Street mall police post, appeared in court yesterday charged with public violence.
The nine are Taurai Nherera (18), Simbarashe Makaha (35), Jefias Moyo (39), Leonard Dendera (29), Muchineripi Muzengeza (34), Patson Murimoga (32), Samson Nerwande (40), Murambiwa Dzwenge (38) and Kudakwashe Usai (20).
One of the accused, Jefias Moyo, has a pending case of murder of a policeman in Glen View where he is jointly charged with other MDC-T activists in a case recorded under CR376/5/11.
Lawyer Mr Aleck Muchadehama represented the vendors, while Mr Tarisai Mutangi represented the MDC-T activists.
Both defence counsels' made bail applications and magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei will make a ruling tomorrow.
The gang will be in custody pending the ruling.
Prosecutor, Mr David Magwegwe alleges that on January 11 Harare Central police operations conducted an operation, arresting illegal vendors along Nelson Mandela Avenue, Sam Nujoma Street and Julius Nyerere Way in Harare.
The operation was a result of previous cases of assault on municipality police by MDC-T activists and vendors.
Also targeted were Zanu-PF supporters wearing party regalia, Zimbabwe National Army Officers in uniform and members of the public perceived to be aligned to Zanu-PF.
Musicians checking on their pirated music being traded by the vendors were also not spared. On January 11 in the afternoon the accused persons and others still at large teamed up and assaulted uniformed police officers, Knowledge Madeyi, Kudakwashe Dumba, Moses Mude, Shingirai Zinhawa, Vitalis Madziwana and another one identified as Majon F to prevent them from executing their constitutional duties.
The group was armed with stones and iron bars.
They went on to assault other policemen who were not in uniform but on duty. These include Tatenda Zhou, Aaron Mutsengi and Shadreck Matare whom they located along Nelson Mandela Avenue.
Labels: MARKETEERS, MDC VIOLENCE, THERESA MAKONE
Read more...
Sata defending illegality on vending, says Mwanza
By Fridah Nkonde in Ndola
Wed 21 Dec. 2011, 13:57 CAT
YOUNG African Leaders Initiative Zambia governance advisor Isaac Mwanza says President Michael Sata should not be seen to be antagonising local councils over street vending issues. And Mwanza says President Sata is supporting illegality by allowing street vending.
Commenting on President Sata's directive to councils countrywide to leave street vendors alone following the Ministry of Local Government's directive that they go to designated trading places, Mwanza said his organisation was at a loss over the head of state's action.
Mwanza said there was need for the President and his government to come up with a definite policy statement on how they intend to create employment for Zambians, stating its deliverable objectives and timeframe and not just allow street vending.
"We are aware of the dismal unemployment levels obtaining while we do not condone street vending for various and obvious reasons. Street vendors must somehow fend for themselves and their families," Mwanza said.
He said while street vending might be used in the short term for those without employment to earn a living, there was need for government to step up efforts to create employment opportunities in the long run.
Mwanza said street vending was not a viable and feasible solution to the unemployment problems in Zambia.
"The President will do better to address matters such as this one and we demand that he makes his stance clear on street vending. When PF was campaigning, one of the thrusting messages that won many hearts of the Zambians was his Excellency's stance on cleaning streets," he said.
Mwanza said President Sata should tell the nation the PF's policy plan on street vending because it was clear there was a contradiction in policy direction between the local government minister and the President.
He said with outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and other diseases, it was saddening that President Sata himself could condone street vending and defend illegality.
Mwanza said streets would forever be dirty with the influx of street vending.
"We have four modern markets; two in Kitwe and two in Lusaka that have about five per cent occupancy level and it would only be fair that they (street vendors) are told to go back to the markets. We are aware that the Minister of Local Government Professor Nkandu Luo urged and sensitised the removal of street vendors in town and also urged vendors to leave the streets willingly," he said.
Mwanza said President Sata's counteractive directive was very unfortunate and raised a call for devolution of powers.
Labels: MARKETEERS, MMD
Read more...
Street vendors jostle for space in Ndola
By Fridah Nkonde in Ndola
Sun 18 Dec. 2011, 13:55 CAT
STREET vendors yesterday moved into Ndola's Central Business District jostling for trading space following P
resident Michael Sata's directive to local authorities not to chase them. President Sata has ordered councils countrywide to leave street vendors and those running car wash points to operate without hindrance.
Confusion reigned in the town centre when two groups of more than a hundred vendors exchanged expletives, as the urban vendors could not allow those coming from other townships to trade in town.
In an interview, Vendors Association chairman Francia Mwape Kaputula said their association was not going to allow those coming from Masala, Chifubu, Kabushi and other townships to conduct their businesses in the town centre because they had stands where they were coming from.
"We don't understand why these people are coming here because they don't belong here. They have stands in markets where they are coming from. They just want to bring confusion in town and we will not allow it," he said.
Kaputula said he knew the people that had been vending in town and that he would not just let anyone to move into town because it would create confusion.
"What we do not want is for our beloved President to change his mind about the statement he made concerning street vending. We want to maintain our places and do business in an orderly manner. We don't want our town to become dirty because that will bring about a lot of diseases like cholera. We have restricted ourselves from reaching Shoprite area because our town will look untidy," he said.
And Vendors Association chairlady Margaret Chalwe said President Sata had done a great thing for the street vendors and that there was need for them to operate in a good and orderly manner.
Chalwe said the association had come up with a vigilante force amongst themselves to prevent other vendors from getting into town.
"We know who operates in town and who does not. All those people you are seeing there are from Chifubu, Masala, Kabushi and other towns. We will not beat or harass them but we will only chase them just as we have done today. We will continue chasing them if at all they continue coming to disturb us," she said.
Chalwe said they had all the rights to chase those that never used to trade in town and that they would do everything possible to keep them away.
"These are the people who used to bring confusion even before the President issued this directive. They would at times come to do their business in town and when the council come to chase all of us, they would happily go back to their stands and leave us who do not have stands to suffer. So they should also leave us to do our business," she said.
She said there had been street vendors since 1983 when Mulungushi Market where they had stands got burnt.
Meanwhile, Sandra Silitonga, a vendor from Masala, who spoke on behalf of vendors from other townships, said the directive made by President Sata was not going to work due to Chalwe's as all vendors wanted to do their business in town.
Silitonga said they all wanted to trade in town because most of the people did their shopping in town.
"There is no business where we are coming from. Town centre is for everyone and as long as we all voted for President Sata, we will all come and trade in town. Allowing a few individuals to sell in town won't work. For me, I can't continue selling in Masala because I don't make profit that side and it is because of the people that sell in town who sell things at a very cheap price affecting us who do not sell in town," said Silitonga.
Labels: MARKETEERS, NDOLA
Read more...
Violence rocks Harare
Wednesday, 02 November 2011 00:00
Freeman Razemba and John Manzongo
VIOLENCE erupted in Harare's Central Business District yesterday afternoon after
MDC-T youths and vendors attacked policemen who sought to arrest them for selling pirated compact discs near the party's Harvest House headquarters.
Six people, among them two vendors and an MDC-T security official, were arrested.
Violence broke out after a Chiedza Chevatendi member Tapiwa Chibaya saw pirated CDs of their music being sold by vendors near Harvest House. Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau said Chibaya confronted the vendors who assaulted him.
"Chibaya went to the police post along First Street where he made a report. Three policemen went to the scene to arrest the suspects," he said.
They arrested the four, but one of them sneaked into Harvest House, where a few minutes later MDC-T youths emerged and manhandled the policemen.
The youths tried to rescue their colleagues, tearing a policeman's uniform during the scuffle.
Insp Sabau said the vendors and the youths then fled into Harvest House whereupon the policemen called for reinforcements.
A police reaction group moved in swiftly and arrested the vendors, but when they were in the police vehicle, they escaped and ran into Harvest House.
The MDC-T youths returned armed with stones and attacked the policemen.
Two police vehicles had their windscreens shattered.
"Police were left with no option, but to fire tear canisters into the building. The police were not aware that there was an exit door at the back of the building, which the suspects used to flee," Insp Sabau said.
When the doors were opened, police could not locate the suspects, but managed to arrest two of the vendors and a security officer.
Insp Sabau said police discovered half bricks and stones in some offices at Harvest House, which they believe could have been used by the youths.
Police took the stones and the bricks, as part of investigations.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora last night dismissed as false claims that MDC-T youths were behind the violence.
"There are no stones in the Harvest House. It's a lie that our youths were throwing stones at them. It's only that the police wanted to attack the Harvest House and thanks to security at our windows, the canisters did not get in.
"The police are aware that there are criminals in Harare, there is Chipangano in Mbare, they are just trying to harass us," he said.
Business ground to a halt as shops along Nelson Mandela Avenue were closed.
People, including schoolchildren, were affected by tear smoke that was billowing in Sam Nujoma Street, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela avenues and Julius Nyerere Way.
Some people milled around Harvest House to witness the skirmishes, while some motorists abandoned their vehicles on the road owing to tear gas.
Chiedza Chevatendi member Chibaya said he suffered internal injuries as a result of the assault.
"When I challenged the group which was close to 10 men, they said I had no right to ask them. They mobbed and started kicking and punching me.
"I managed to escape and reported the matter to the police at First Street post. Three policemen escorted me to Harvest House to arrest the vendors.
"When we approached the youths, they became violent and assaulted me and the policemen. They took away the policemen's handcuffs and tore their uniforms, prompting us all to run for dear life," he said.
Chibaya said police had given him a police report so he could get treatment at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
Insp Sabau said police would not hesitate to arrest anyone found on the wrong side of the law and would use minimum force whenever the need arises.
On Sunday, another police vehicle had its windscreen shattered by MDC-T youths following disturbances in Hatcliffe, Harare.
On Monday, police warned youths to desist from any form of political violence and said they were aware of certain political parties linked to some organisations that were sponsoring their youths to engage in political violence.
Police said they would remain vigilant and alert to deal with such criminal elements.
Labels: MARKETEERS, MDC VIOLENCE
Read more...
Vendors bring ‘krango’ to doorsteps
Saturday, 24 September 2011 21:32 Features
By Edwin Mwase and Lincoln Towindo
AFTER failing to secure gainful employment since completing high school in Murehwa six years ago, Pasipanodya Muzhandamure (24) decided to become a full-time street vendor. Traversing the streets of Mabvuku daily with his pushcart laden with an assortment of fruits and vegetables as well as a variety of clothing items, bellowing himself hoarse has become part of his daily exertion.
Due to the ever-increasing number of unemployed youths selling the same merchandise in the streets of Harare, competition is at its stiffest these days.
“Having seen the competition increase exponentially in recent times I have been forced to diversify,” he says.
“In order to have an edge over my competitors I introduced a new brand of merchandise that is always in high demand.”
Apart from selling his usual commodities, Pasipanodya has now added alcohol to his merchandise.
He is one of a new kind of vendors who have suddenly become operators of “mobile bars”.
This new breed of “bar operators” has invaded the streets of a number of Harare suburbs selling illicit alcoholic beverages usually of foreign origin.
Alcohol brands known for being highly intoxicating such as Knock Out, Zed and Double Punch are the most popular. The bootleggers sell their merchandise discreetly to avoid the long arm of the law.
Muzhandamure said they were enjoying brisk business from their wide range of clients who included fellow vendors, commuter omnibus rank marshals, street kids and even some respected members of society.
He said they were managing to eke out a living despite frequent running battles with the municipal police.
“On a good day, we can make up to US$30 in profit but our main hindrance is the municipal police who usually raids us but we have perfected the art of our trade so much that we are now outwitting them most of the time,” he said.
A tout who preferred to be called “JT”, who had come for an early morning fix, said they preferred the “illicit mix” to the conventional beer because of its potency.
“The nature of our trade requires that we remain sloshed most of the day, so in terms of results, this kind of stuff is the best,” he said
Concerned neutrals have opposed this new trend as it exposes mostly children and women to the disorderly conduct of the imbibers.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau said it was illegal to sell alcohol without a licence adding that the bootleggers would be prosecuted if caught.
“In order to sell alcoholic beverages, one must be in possession of a valid liquor licence as per the Liquor Act,” said Insp Sabau.
“Anyone found selling beer on the street or even in outlets that are not authorised to do so will be liable for prosecution. The law is very clear on the illegality of peddling and drinking beer outside the confines of designated places and anyone caught doing so will have to answer for that.”
Insp Sabau said police would intensify operations to curb the bootlegging especially in the wake of reports that it was on the increase.
“We are always intensifying our actions against the smuggling syndicates who bring these beverages into the country.
“As police, we will deal accordingly with those involved in the trafficking and selling of all those toxic substances, which are not certified under the Zimbabwean standards of beer,” he said.
Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi said council, as the licensing authority for liquor retailers, would not license those who did not meet prescribed standards of operations.
“Those who are selling alcohol illegally in the suburbs should desist from such practices,” he said.
“As council we do not condone such practices and we will continue working with the police to nip that practice in the bud. We will only issue licences to those who meet the prescribed standards.”
Mrs Mercy Mkushi, head of secretariat at the Zimbabwe Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturers’ Association (ZABMA), said her organisation was lobbying all stakeholders to act against the selling of illicit brews.
“We are always in touch with Government and the public, lobbying, educating and campaigning for responsible manufacturing and drinking,” said Mrs Mkushi.
“These brews do not only affect adults, the young are also at risk. That is why we are always carrying out campaigns every now and then especially towards beer drinking peak times such as public holidays.”
She emphasised the need to engage people on an individual basis highlighting the dangers that arise from drinking the illicit brews.
“We are not only speaking to the Government since it is important to engage individuals as well.
“You can have laws and regulations against this practice, but it is futile if the person on the ground is not aware of the dangers that are associated with these beverages,” she said.
Experts who spoke to The Sunday Mail In-Depth expressed fear that the proposed National Alcohol Policy would promote the illegal beer market once promulgated. They said that the proposed Sunday beer ban would translate into brisk business for the illegal peddlers.
“The weekend beer ban would boost the illegal market since it would be the only place that people can get alcohol over the weekends,” said one expert.
Mrs Virginia Mubazangi of Budiriro bemoaned the continued prevalence in the trade of the substances in her community.
She said continued police inaction would encourage delinquency among young children.
“They have seen it proper to leave their previous habitats and invade our homes exposing our children to very dangerous beverages,” she said.
“These people are just after making profits and they do not care who buys their stuff. They do not look at whether their customers are adults or schoolchildren.
“The country’s laws are clear and police are not doing enough to curb this ill. The law states that no person under the age of 18 is allowed to purchase alcohol let alone enter premises where alcohol is sold,” she said.
Another Harare resident, Mr Christopher Gandanga, said: “Vulgar language, prostitution and unruly behaviour are some of the social ills associated with beer drinkers and bars that will be widespread in the local communities if this problem is allowed to fester.”
These strong alcoholic beverages, which have been christened “krango” by drinkers, originate mostly from Mozambique and find their way into the suburbs around Zimbabwe via a complex smuggling network.
According to the latest Global Status Report on Alcohol, Zimbabwe is ranked number 12 in Africa on the list of top beer drinking nations.-The Sunday Mail
Labels: ALCOHOL, MARKETEERS
Read more...
Vending order of day in Chegutu
Thursday, 21 July 2011 02:00
By Mike Chimombe in Chegutu
IT is almost midnight and the weather is blistering cold but for her it does not matter as she struggles to sell weather-beaten bananas to customers while carrying a little girl on her back. One would wonder if the young woman has got a home to lay her head.
At her tender age it might seem as if her parents are abusing her, as most fortunate girls of her age would be fast asleep, yet she is running around at the peak of the night in search of a dollar. The earnings will help not only herself but her sick mother and little sister as she is now the family breadwinner.
At the same time seeing a 11-year-old boy selling fruits makes one wonder whether the boy attends school. Many of his age are hardly seen loitering around that hour as they usually wake up early to go to school.
This is a different case to Tinashe Rudavo, whose life as a vendor has already begun at such a tender age. Life for the young man has not been the same since his single mother became bed-ridden after succumbing to some strange illness.
His case is made worse as he is also taking care of his three-year old sister whom he usually carries on his back. He cannot leave her with the bed-ridden mother.
"I have to sell these fruits (bananas) everyday because I am now the father and my mother hardly walks while my father passed on six years ago. No one has offered us help. I come here in search of money to feed my mother and sister," explained young Tinashe.
With the Harare-Bulawayo highway being populated by vendors jostling for buyers, the young man says he has to battle it out with his older fellow vendors including women.
The most common merchandise on sell are bananas, oranges, mangoes and potatoes, all from neighbouring farms.
Tinashe said he grew up on a farm where his father worked as a tractor driver while his mother was a mere general worker. When the farm was acquired for resettlement purposes, Tinashe and family moved into the small town where it has proved tough for the family to make a living.
He has since made friends with the few whose life is almost similar to his and this makes it even more difficult to find help since they are in the same predicament.
‘My father died soon after we moved into town from the farm after suffering from an unknown disease. I was five years old then. My mother then remarried and had this little sister of mine but separated after she fell sick to the point where she is today," recalls Tinashe.
Tinashe said he only went to school up to Grade Three as he had no one to pay his fees. His mother who was now into vending in the streets of Chegutu only stopped due to the illness, forcing Tinashe to take over from her.
"After my mother separated she tried to sell different fruits on the highway. She could not continue with the vending business when she fell ill. I had to take over as hunger was ripping us apart," he added.
Driving through Chegutu one is overwhelmed by the presence of these vendors along the highway as they run from one bus, private vehicle, and kombi to the other in anticipation of catching one or two buyers.
Lives have been lost as the vendors are struck by motor vehicles while crossing the highway to sell their merchandise.
Some women claimed they even start their business as early as 10am where they would bring along their children who run around with dishes offering their merchandise to motorists.
Women getting assistance from their children say on good days they could make as much US$20 a day. It was also possible to go home with as little as US$5 a day.
"I order bananas at US$1 for 10 which I then resale at US$1 for seven,'' said Ms Conelias Nyamhunga.
The vendors' ordeal usually gets worse when they face the other side of the law as municipal police officers scare them away from their selling points and other surrounding areas accusing them of having no licences as well as littering the town.
"Sometimes we end up in police custody where we pay fines or have our wares confiscated,'' said another vendor Mrs Otilia Ruwende.
To Tinashe and those of his age, street life is now into them and his three-year-old sister has since found friends of her age brought by other vendors where they play together while the elder brothers and sisters get down to business of the day.
Vending has since become common in this small town to the extent that almost every pavement is now a small market, filled with vendors who lay their stuff on the pavements in an endeavour to beat poverty.
One wonders whether there would be a better life for the young ones who wish to go back to school hoping for a brighter future.
"I hope that one day I would be able to send my sister to a proper school unlike myself. I will never give up on life because I believe that it is dynamic and who knows, maybe tomorrow will be a better day," said yet another young vendor Richard Munemo.
Labels: MARKETEERS
Read more...
Chipata vendors complain about Malawian shoe traders influx
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Tue 28 June 2011, 03:40 CAT
VENDORS in Chipata have complained about the increase in the number of Malawian shoe traders in the area. The vendors, who sell shoes, said there was an influx of traders who were crossing into Zambia to sell shoes in the town centre, Down Shops and Kapata Market. The vendors wondered whether or not the traders were trading legally in the area.
One of the vendors, Joseph Nyirenda said the Zambia Revenue Authority needed to check on the traders and ensure that it collected the necessary taxes from the traders who usually crossed into Zambia using simple passes.
Nyirenda said Zambians could not be allowed to vend illegally in Malawi.
“When you go and buy things there, they just say ‘gulani aise pitani kwanu’ buy my friend and go to your place. This is our concern,” Nyirenda said.
Another vendor, Obby Nyirenda urged the authorities to address the matter.
He said the Zambian vendors had complained to the immigration department over the matter but nothing had been done to help them.
When contacted, some Malawian vendors said they were aware of the complaints from their Zambian colleagues.
“Anyway, there is need to address this matter amicably because our friends are taking it very seriously,” one of the vendors said.
Labels: CHIPATA, MALAWI, MARKETEERS
Read more...
Court finds ZANAMA officials with a case to answer
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Tue 18 Jan. 2011, 04:00 CAT
FIVE Zambia National Marketeers’ Association officials accused of murder have been found with a case to answer.
This is in a case where Penias Phiri, George Daka, Peter Mbale, Mwiza Mwanangwa and Patrick Mataka who are Zambia National Marketeers Association ZANAMA (officicials) were accused of murdering a Chisokone market trader. It is alleged that the five in 2010 jointly murdered Charles Chola.
Making her ruling yesterday, Kitwe High Court judge Judith Mulongoti said from the evidence adduced so far, she was satisfied that the prosecution had managed to establish a prima facie case in respect of all the five accused persons.
“A prima facie case has been established which requires the accused persons to make a defence. I therefore find them with a case to answer,” said judge Mulongoti.
The matter was adjourned to January 27, 2011 for commencement of defence.
Chola’s death sparked a riot in early 2010 which led to the burning of the ZANAMA office within Chisokone market.
Labels: MARKETEERS, ZANAMA
Read more...
It’s irresponsible for govt to give title of any market to an association - mayor
By Speedwell Mupuchi in Kitwe
Fri 24 Dec. 2010, 04:40 CAT
IT will be a serious mark of irresponsibility for the government to give a title deed for any market in Zambia to an association, says Kitwe Mayor Elias Kamanga.
Kamanga’s remarks come in the wake of Zambia National Marketeers Association (ZANAMA) chairman general Elvis Nkandu’s plea to Vice-President George Kunda who on Monday officiated at their convention that the government should deliver its promise of a title deed for Chisokone Market.
In an interview, Kamanga said according to the current law, markets and bus stations were public amenities owned by the people through elected representatives.
He said people expected political will from the government and Vice-President Kunda to implement the markets and bus stations Act.
“We believe Honorable George Kunda as Vice-President and Minister of Justice was an architect of this particular law. We are lost when we start witnessing the same government that came up with the law choosing to totally disregard it,” said Kamanga.
President Rupiah Banda last year promised ZANAMA that his government would consider giving it a title deed for Chisokone Market.
Kamanga also dismissed as misplaced complaints by Nkandu that his association was being frustrated by PF-run councils.
“Actually it’s associations like ZANAMA that have been frustrating and interfering with legally mandated institutions like authorities from implementing the law as established,” said Kamanga.
“According to the local government Act Cap 281 of the laws of Zambia and the markets and bus stations Act number 7 of 2007, the management of markets and bus stations in the entire country is placed in the hands of local authorities. I wonder what interference Nkandu is accusing the council of.”
Kamanga said councils were legally mandated to collect levies from traders in a market.
He said it was amazing for Vice-President Kunda to refer to local authorities on the Copperbelt as Patriotic Front councils when all their budgets were approved and sanctioned by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
He said the amount of energy used to attack the PF over councils it dominates should be spared to repair badly damaged roads on the Copperbelt, particularly Chibuluma, Mindolo and Central streets which were ring roads for Kitwe.
“It won’t help this country trying to apportion blame on the poor state of affairs in the country on political parties holding majorities in these regions. The local government system has collapsed and we should be doing together to revamp the local government system rather than blame Sata who is not in control of government coffers,” he said.
Kamanga said Zambia was lowest in the Commonwealth in terms of budgetary support to local government.
Kamanga said the government should re-look its budgetary support to councils before accusing them of failing to perform their functions.
Labels: ELIAS KAMANGA, GEORGE KUNDA, LOCAL MARKETS, MARKETEERS, ZANAMA
Read more...
JHB hawkers complain of police harassment
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Nov 10 2010 16:24
A memorandum of requests by informal traders who claim police abuse was read out at the mayor's office in Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon. Assistant director of petitions for the municipality, Peter Kute signed the memorandum saying: "We are inviting the executive to the offices tomorrow to discuss their requests."
The memorandum, with a list of 29 requests, was read out by One Voice For All Hawkers Association president Zacharia Ramutulwana in front of a 300-strong crowd of informal traders and two representatives of the Johannesburg municipality.
Ramutulwana said: "We demand you stop all the evictions and harassment of hawkers [who are] without any proper alternative and decent way of making a living."
The crowd began their protest march at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown at 10.00am wearing One Voice For All Hawkers Association t-shirts and Pan Africanist Congress t-shirts in bright colours.
Police presence consisted of about 15 officers, with some military personnel.
The informal traders marched up West and Rissik streets under the blazing sun raising banners with the words "Phansi Ngo metro police phansi" (down metro police, down).
By 1.30pm the crowd were visibly exhausted, sheltering from heat under umbrellas, but their determination to voice their distress was clear.
To the sound of vuvuzelas and elated cheers, Kute confirmed that a meeting with the executive committee for the association would take place on Thursday. -- Sapa
Labels: MARKETEERS
Read more...
Nakonde border officials tighten security after Tanzanians riot
By Ketty Zulu in Nakonde
Sun 21 Mar. 2010, 04:20 CAT
SECURITY has been tightened at Nakonde border in Northern Province following the riotous behaviour by some unruly Tanzanian nationals who destroyed three vehicles last week.
The irate Tanzanian vendors rioted after a combined team of council and state police confiscated their merchandise, which they were selling on top of the Tanzania Zambia Railways (TAZARA) tunnel on the Zambia-Tanzania border, forcing the border to temporarily close.
Nakonde district commissioner Billy Silwimba yesterday said police officers had been deployed to man the TAZARA tunnel 24 hours daily and no person would be allowed to carry out any sort of business on top of the tunnel and near the customs yard.
“The government has decided to ban any form of business activity taking place on the place popularly known as the no-man’s land due to the continued riots being caused by the traders from both Tanzania and the Zambian side,” Silwimba said.
He said last week, three vehicles which were awaiting clearance were badly smashed and the operations at the border came to a standstill because of the riot by the traders in the area.
Silwimba said if this kind of behaviour by the traders continued, innocent people could lose their lives.
He called on the people living on the borderline to be peaceful and conduct their businesses from designated areas in an orderly manner.
Silwimba commended the security officers for moving in quickly to quell the situation, which became tense within a short time.
Labels: BORDER POSTS, MARKETEERS, TANZANIA
Read more...
Mongu cops arrest ZANAMA officials
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sat 23 Jan. 2010, 04:00 CAT
POLICE in Mongu on Thursday arrested Zambia National Marketeers Association (ZANAMA) top officials in the district after they incited their members not to pay trading licence fees to the local authority.
And some Roman Catholic Church priests in Mongu Diocese have described the government’s attacks on Bishop Paul Duffy following his statement that the Rupiah Banda administration had neglected the Western Province as misplaced and cheap politicking.
Mongu Municipal Council spokesperson Chrispin Kalihonga confirmed in an interview from Mongu that among those picked up by the police was ZANAMA Mongu chairman Mackson Mulilo.
Kalihonga said the ZANAMA officials were nabbed after they allegedly started using abusive language against Mongu Council officials and police officers that went to collect trading licence fees for 2010 at Mongu Central Market.
“There is ZANAMA who are trying to incite marketeers not to pay for trading licence. Now the situation is calm and marketeers are paying,” said Kalihonga when asked what sparked the confusion at the market. “The ringleaders have been picked by police and that is now an issue that is between ZANAMA and the police.”
Kalihonga said the confusion started when council officers went to collect the K65,000 from marketeers, the fee for their 2010 trading licences but due to influence from ZANAMA officials, the marketeers put up some resistance.
“Of course we asked for support from the state police so that they could help us collect this fee,” Kalihonga narrated. “Upon seeing the police in the company of council officials, ZANAMA officials started using abusive language. So of course that annoyed the police.”
Kalihonga said he was not aware of what offence the police would slap on Mulilo and his colleagues following their arrest.
Western Province deputy police commanding officer, a Mr Chongo, said he could not confirm the arrests because he had not received any report on the matter.
But eyewitnesses said the marketeers resisted paying the trading licence fee because the council was not providing services in the markets.
The sources said the marketeers even went further to stage a demonstration at some district government offices to register their displeasure.
And Mongu’s St John’s Catholic Church priest, Fr Cliff Fumbelo said the priests in Mongu Diocese were behind Bishop Duffy and the position he had taken on the lack of development in Western Province.
“Bishop Duffy has a moral obligation to speak for the poor in Mongu Diocese because he is obliged to speak for them and on behalf of them just like Jesus came on behalf of the poor and neglected,” said Fr Fumbelo.
“The attacks are unfounded and they are cheap politicking because the truth is here for anyone to see…what Bishop Duffy is saying are not lies as the government is alleging. As a priest and other priests here in Mongu Diocese who see the poverty in Western Province, we are behind Bishop Duffy. We are behind him because he also gets information from us and when he speaks, he speaks on our behalf as well.”
Labels: MARKETEERS, MONGU, ZANAMA
Read more...
COMMENT - Perhaps economists shouldn't be in charge of making SME policy. Small business people only. Also, how can he blame SMEs for not creating 'robust business plans'? Do they get help doing so? If not, why would they sprout such skills spontaneously? Another example of blaming the failure of a 'hands off' laissez faire 'market based' policy on someone else.
Fundanga bemoans reduced lending to informal sector
By Allan Mulenga and Terence Miselo
Thu 14 Jan. 2010, 04:00 CAT
BANK of Zambia governor Dr Caleb Fundanga has said commercial banks’ reduced lending to the informal sector is as a result of
the inability by entrepreneurs to articulate and sell bankable projects through robust business plans.
During the launch of Intermarket Banking Corporation’s Venturecomp 2010 business plan competition targeted at students in higher learning institutions with paucity of opportunities to enter into businesses in Lusaka on Tuesday, Dr Fundanga said most of the credit extended by banks and microfinance institutions was targeted at individuals in formal employment or with already established enterprises.
“…Only an insignificant amount credit is extended to start-up initiatives or the informal sector. This has been exacerbated by the inability of entrepreneurs to articulate and sell bankable projects through robust business plans,” he said.
Dr Fundanga added that the other reason was that most Zambians preferred to be in formal employment rather than engage in entrepreneurial activities on a full time basis.
“The small number of educated Zambians engaging in entrepreneurial activities limits the scale of indigenous businesses as evidenced by the non-participation of Zambians in major sectors of the economy like mining or manufacturing,” he said.
Dr Fundanga noted that it was however important to realise that individual entrepreneurs, as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), formed the engine of economic and social development as they generated the much-needed employment.
And Intermarket Banking Corporation managing director Subhrendu Chatterji explained that the Venturecomp 2010 worth K100 million was aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among young people and was open to all students in various disciplines.
Labels: CALEB FUNDANGA, INFORMAL ECONOMY, MARKETEERS
Read more...
‘Chisokone Market issue will have serious repercussions’
By Mwila Chansa
Thu 14 Jan. 2010, 04:00 CAT
LUXON Kazabu has warned that the issue of Chisokone Market will have serious repercussions if not properly handled.
And Kazabu has observed that the prevailing political environment in the country ahead of next year's tripartite elections is not good and has called for level-headedness amongst political players for a better environment to be created.
In an interview yesterday, Kazabu, who is former Kitwe mayor, observed that it would appear that part of the cause of the tension currently being experienced in Kitwe was as a result of President Rupiah Banda's directive to the Kitwe City Council to give Chisokone Market’s title deeds to the Zambia National Marketeers Association (ZANAMA).
“The powers that be should not take a simplistic approach towards the issue of Chisokone Market because it can result into very serious repercussions,” Kazabu warned. “If you give title deeds to a particular association- you tell me, we all know that they have a political disposition. They support the ruling party, what is going to happen to ZATMA and other associations? This is creating conditions for tension within the market.
“If the President wants to empower a certain individual, he is free and I have no quarrels with that. But he should not do it at the expense of local authorities that were established to serve all people without exception.”
He said the law was very clear on who was mandated to run markets and any directive contrary to existing laws amounted to bad governance.
Kazabu wondered which law allowed an association to run cells within a market, where people were beaten and tortured.
And Kazabu noted that hostilities appeared to have already started ahead of the 2011 elections.
He appealed to the top leadership within political parties to act with level headedness and ensure that they created an atmosphere that allowed every citizen to freely participate in the country's political life and above all, in next year's elections.
Kazabu said no one should be intimidated.
He condemned death threats on Catholic Diocese of Ndola Treasurer General Fr Augustine Mwewa.
"We should not kill each other just because of politics. If we do, who will take this country forward?" he asked.
Kazabu urged politicians to be tolerant and not misconstrue any form of criticism to be an insult.
"Can we have a clear definition of an insult? If I tell a lie, what should people call me other than a liar? There is no substitute for describing a person who tells a lie. There is need for us to be clear on what constitutes an insult," said Kazabu.
Labels: CHIKOSONE MARKET, MARKETEERS, ZANAMA
Read more...
