Pushcarts bring in the cash

CASH is increasingly becoming concentrated in the informal sector and particularly on smaller products. A quick walkabout by The Herald Business yesterday revealed that hard cash is still circulating in the country but it has become more concentrated on smaller products and commodities.

Fruits such as bananas and apples have become the biggest cash mobilisers in town and this is being done through pushcarts (zvingoro).

The rise in the number of push carts carrying fruits for resale is testament that there is a new economy which observes argue is being driven by some of the well-heeled people in society.

Walking or driving along Robert Mugabe Way during knock-off hours has become a nightmare as the road is invaded by pushcart vendors, who sell their products strictly on a cash basis.

Interestingly, the pushcarts are also hired for $2 per day or can be purchased for $50.

It is understood that a cartel of deep-pocketed citizens mainly of Indian origin manufacture the pushcarts, which are well designed and numbered and bear the owner’s mobile phone number.

The pushcart owners also reportedly sell the fruits – mainly bananas and apples – in bulk, an indication that the business has become organised.

“We get both the pushcarts from a shop that also supplies us with the fruits. The choice is yours to buy the fruits in bulk from the supplier, and then hire the pushcart for $2 per day or buy it for $50,” said one of the traders.

Others said they are in the employment of the owners who pay them a salary of $8 per day. The owners can cash up to $60 $80 and for those who own up to 50 carts; cash earned can amount to around $3 000 - $4 000 per day.