Zimbabwe March 2006 |
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| Zimbabwe police pounce on hapless vendors, (AND Network, 2006-03-21):-Police in Gwanda have since Monday been ambushing and arresting street vendors, seizing goods worth over three hundred million dollars.The move by the law officers has stimulated memories of last years' infamous "Operation Restore Order" which saw vendors being displaced from their selling points. Those who were arrested were made to pay an admission of guilt fine of Z$250 000 for operating at an undesignated area. Wares that were confisticated include those that are in short supply in the countrys' supermarkets such as cooking oil and washing soap. Vegetables were also seized during the raids. Vendors who spoke to AND condemned the move taken by the Police saying they had been robbed of their source of livelihood. Miss Thabiso Nkomo a widow, said she was using the profits to take care of her two children who attend primary school. Efforts to contact Matabeleland South Police spokesman Inspector Johnson Nyoni were fruitless as he was said to be out of office when AND sought his comment. However an officer who received the call said the exercise had nothing to do with "Operation Restore Order". He said some vendors were now engaging in illegal foreign currency deals while others were selling their wares in rands to travellers in-transit from South Africa hence the exercise. Government is yet to complete market stalls meant to accomodate vendors. However indications are that the vendors will have to wait a little longer before they are allocated stands to sell thier wares as the Ministry of Public works and national housing has abandoned the project due to financial constraints. Matebeleland South Governor, Angeline Masuku could not be reached for a comment as she was said to be involved in marathon meetings. | |
South African Migration Project (SAMP) - Queen's University - http://www.queensu.ca/samp |