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The Herald, August 31, 1981  

PLANS to set up markets in the city centre and one just outside have been approved in principle by the Salisbury City Council, and reports that vendors have been harassed by youths are being investigated.  

Councillor Solomon Tawengwa told the council last week that people purporting to be municipal policemen were “arresting” unlicensed vendors and turning them over to the Zimbabwe Republic Police.  

He said the mayor, Tizirai Gwata, had promised to set up people’s markets for these vendors to turn a blind eye to their activities until such markets were built.  

The director of community services, Mr Bevy Taylor, assured councillors that no one in his department was harassing the vendors, but there were youths, not employed by the council, who acted as if they were municipal police. He would investigate.  

Councillor Tawengwa said he would contact the police and see if markets already issued could be cancelled.  

The six new market areas, which would be set should the necessary capital funds be available, would keep vendors off the streets and ensure hygienic conditions in the city centre where, councillors felt almost no facilities existed for them. 

The six sites selected were: the corner of Speke Avenue and Sinoia Street; the area to the north of Market Square; the corner of Moffat and Bank Streets; the corner of Charter Road and Rezende Street; the corner of Kenneth Kaunda Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way; and the corner of Harare Road North and Remembrance Drive. An economic stall fee would be charged.  

LESSONS FOR TODAY  

 The provision of properly designated stalls is critical to maintain order in any city. There is chaos in some of the country’s cities, especially Harare because city council has failed to allocate vendors proper places to operate from.  

 Vendors require a place with a lot of human traffic. Previous attempts especially by the City of Harare to designate areas on the periphery of the city centre for vending have failed because vendors did not see any business sense in operating from such areas.  

 The provision of proper vending stalls by council can be a very viable business which can enhance their revenue streams, if properly managed.  

 Vendors are people who are trying to make an honest living and as such, they should be treated fairly instead of being harassed by the municipal police especially if council is failing to provide adequate facilities.