President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on informal vendors to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to “criminal elements” and drug kingpins, while also urging for an end to night vending. His comments came after a meeting with vendors’ representatives at State House on Wednesday, where he listened to their concerns regarding the government’s recent directive for local authorities to remove vendors from the streets.
The meeting takes place just days before planned street protests on March 31, led by Blessed “Bombshell” Geza, aimed at pressuring Mnangagwa to step down from office. The protests are expected to be a significant challenge for the president, as the country grapples with a range of social and economic issues.
Vendors’ Concerns and Government’s Response
During the meeting, President Mnangagwa urged vendors to be cautious and alert to the dangers of criminal exploitation within their sector. He specifically warned them not to allow drug lords and criminal elements to take advantage of their businesses. He said:
“I urge you as vendors to be alert and vigilant. Never allow the abuse of your sector by criminal elements and drug kingpins.”
The President’s comments reflect growing concerns about the dark side of informal trading, where illegal activities such as the sale of counterfeit goods and substance abuse have been reported. Mnangagwa emphasized the importance of order in the sector and stated that unregulated trading could have disastrous effects on the country if left unchecked.
Call for Ceasing Night Trading
One of the central points of Mnangagwa’s address was his call for an end to night vending, a practice that has flourished in Zimbabwe’s informal sector. The government has previously taken steps to curb night trading, which is seen as a source of various societal problems.
Mnangagwa remarked:
“We must have order, and as responsible citizens, we must never gloss over this matter. We must be honest that we cannot let the state of our country degenerate right under our eyes.”
Earlier in March, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe issued a directive urging vendors to vacate unregulated trading areas and to halt night vending. Despite this, many vendors have continued with their night-time activities, in some cases disregarding the government’s instructions entirely.
Government Efforts to Formalize the Informal Sector
Mnangagwa assured vendors that the government’s efforts to formalize the informal sector should not be viewed as a threat to their livelihoods. He stated that while the government recognizes the important role vendors play in the economy, there have been troubling developments in the sector that need to be addressed before they lead to more serious consequences.
He continued:
“There have been some worrisome trends affecting the sector, and if left unchecked, they will have dire ripple effects on our country, overshadowing the important role of this critical sector.”
The government has long sought to formalize informal businesses, providing support to vendors while maintaining regulations to ensure public health and safety. However, many vendors feel that these efforts may ultimately harm their businesses and livelihoods, particularly if they result in higher operational costs or more stringent regulations.
Government’s Stance on Night Vending and Substance Abuse
Minister Daniel Garwe reinforced Mnangagwa’s call for the cessation of night vending, adding that his ministry would hold local authorities accountable for mistreating vendors. He also highlighted the risks associated with unregulated night vending, including the facilitation of drug abuse and the sale of counterfeit products. These activities, he argued, contribute to health risks and worsen crime in local communities.
Garwe stated:
“The people who are night vending are creating fertile ground for drug and substance abuse activities. These same people are also facilitating the distribution of counterfeit products, which are sold at night and find their way into people’s homes, further exacerbating health concerns.”
This statement underscores the government’s growing concerns about the negative effects of unregulated night vending, which it believes exacerbates the country’s drug crisis and poses a significant threat to public health.
Vendor Associations and the Upcoming Protests
Despite the government’s stance on night vending, Lovemore Mudzoki, the Secretary of the Tuckshops Association, expressed the association’s disapproval of the planned protests led by Geza. Mudzoki made it clear that the Tuckshops Association is not involved in the demonstrations, as they disrupt the activities of vendors.
The tensions between the formal and informal sectors, along with the growing discontent over government measures, signal that the relationship between vendors and the government will likely remain a challenging issue in the coming months.
Conclusion
President Mnangagwa’s calls for vigilance, order, and cessation of night vending reflect the government’s growing concerns about crime and public health in Zimbabwe’s informal sector. While the government aims to formalize the sector and improve conditions for vendors, the upcoming protests and resistance from vendors suggest that the issue remains far from resolved. The government must balance regulation and support to ensure that informal vendors can continue to thrive without contributing to the criminal and health challenges currently plaguing the sector.
