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From George Maponga  in Masvingo
Masvingo City Council has launched a blitz to get rid of illegal vendors as the country’s oldest town battles to stop the spread of cholera that has so far claimed one person in the city.

Two cholera cases, one fatal, have so far been reported in the city since the deadly disease broke out in other cities and towns across the country. Health officials here, however, insist there is no need to press the panic button as both cases were imported from without Masvingo Province by patience who were on transit.

The remaining cholera patient is receiving treatment under quarantine at Masvingo Provincial Hospital.

The city’s deputy mayor Councillor Wellington Mahwende yesterday said the blitz targeting illegal vending was a joint operation involving municipal police and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

“We launched the operation to clean up our streets by making sure all vendors were off the streets and operated from designated places where there are basic amenities such as toilets. Our major objective is to combat the spread of cholera and typhoid so that there is no loss of human life,” he said.

Clr Mahwende said the blitz will continue into the foreseeable future until the battle against cholera and typhoid was over.

The clampdown also targeted money changers who were yesterday conspicuous by their absence at their traditional places of business in the central business district.

ZRP and municipal police officers were involved in running battles with illegal vendors yesterday, with some having their items confiscated.