The Sunday Mail
Government is right to remove unregistered traders from central business districts but must also formulate an effective vending strategy, urban planners have said.Urban and rural planning expert Mr Percy Toriro said cities such as Kigali in Rwanda and South Africa’s Cape Town were examples of how vending can be regulated.
“It is clear Government understands that vending has become a source of livelihood for many people. However, order should prevail.
“The city has many uses, thus vending should not inconvenience other uses.
“I also urge local authorities to engage all stakeholders when planning as this will ensure order even when there are vendors in the city.
“Harare is not the only city with vending: There are cities like Kigali and Cape Town where vending is done in a nice and orderly manner.
“Cape Town was named the best city in 2008 and Kigali was accorded the same title in 2010. If this can happen elsewhere, it can also happen in Zimbabwe. A lot of planning is required.”
University of Zimbabwe rural and urban planning lecturer Mr Nyasha Mutsindikwa weighed in, saying: “What I have gathered is that 95 percent of vendor products are the same with those sold by established retailers who pay taxes.
“From this understanding, formal traders’ interests must be protected.
“Countries like South Africa, The Netherlands and South Korea designate specific areas in the CBD to vending. Certain streets are temporarily converted to vending streets on certain days and at month-end.
“The traders there pay whatever is due to their respective councils. A solution can be found as long as people are willing to pay.”
