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Farai Mukuwane Herald Reporter
Harare City Council has set aside $3 million for the construction of usable trading sites for vendors in its 2016 budget. Speaking at a luncheon organised by the Rotary Club, deputy mayor Councillor Christopher Mbanga expressed confidence that council would come up with a final solution to illegal vending.

“In our 2016 budget, we set aside $3 million for the construction of usable trading sites,” he said. “Sites with a roof above the head, sites that are accessible, sites that are attractive, sites that resonate with our vision of becoming a world class city by 2025.

“Our officials are busy on the ground, putting final touches to the designs and copying from best practices so that we begin the construction.”

Cllr Mbanga acknowledged the need for vending sites as a means to respond to the economic challenges the country is facing.

“Vendors did not choose to be in the business they are in today,” he said.

“The influx of vending is a response to the economy, the job losses, the dwindling industrial base, company closures, among a host of other compelling reasons. We realise that the informal sector is now the economy.”

Cllr Mbanga warned vendors who persisted in selling their wares at intersections, pavements and road islands in the city centre to desist from the practice.