Maintain the operation against vendors

OVER the past two weeks, there was chaos in town with running battles between the police and vendors.

We have seen this before, with the police and city council carrying out such a campaign for a short while and then just giving up.

Nothing would have been achieved since the vendors would return to their operations after the blitz.

I think it would be a good idea if Government sets up a permanent unit to deal with the vendor menace in Harare CBD.

If vendors are given a warning and don’t comply, rather than chasing and beating them up, they should just be arrested and locked up or pay heavy fines.

I think such drastic action would discourage them from committing similar offenses.

I am not saying that vendors are criminals, but the moment they start operating in undesignated areas, then they are committing a crime.

Worldwide vendors are common, but they conduct their business in designated spaces.

Harare City Council and town planners should also play their part if this situation is to be resolved anytime soon.

Vending spaces should be created in strategic places which are easily accessible.

Let us work together to restore the capital to its Sunshine City status. - Thulani Moyo, Harare