Source: Nqobani Ndlovu, NewsDay
BULAWAYO vendors have launched a self-funded training programme to sensitise members on their constitutional rights and guard against abuse by municipal police.
The Bulawayo Vendors’ Trust (BVT), in a statement, said the training was in response to the unrelenting confiscation of their goods and the inhumane treatment they received from municipal police officers.
Recently, four municipal police were hospitalised after they were assaulted by angry vendors, who were protesting against the confiscation of their goods.
“As part of our small contribution to sensitise vendors about their rights, we have embarked on training of vendors on social and economic rights and on how they can demand and promote their rights,” BVT said.
“We believe and strive to empower vendors as an identified marginalised group. Vendors have the same rights that are accorded to all Zimbabweans stated in Chapter (4) Section (56) Subsection (2), which include right to equal treatment, right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.”
The BVT said vendors have constitutional rights, which must be respected, hence, the training exercise to sensitise them on their rights.
“Our organisation has noted that the rights of vendors and informal traders are frequently violated by municipal police in city of Bulawayo and, hence, their rights must be protected and promoted,” the BVT said.
“We have also observed that a proportionate number of vendors are not aware of their rights or the means to seek recourse when their rights are violated. We then call for measures that will empower vendors to speak up for their rights.”
Bulawayo Municipality has defended the raids on unlicensed vendors, insisting they had been given adequate time to move to designated sites, adding his council would not backtrack on that issue.
Bulawayo has more than 6 000 unoccupied vending bays, which were deserted after traders noticed low customer volumes since the bays were located in secluded areas.
Source: Nqobani Ndlovu, NewsDay