THE Harare City council municipal police arrested at least 45 pushcart operators in an early morning blitz in the CBD yesterday.
Council said the blitz was necessary to restore order in the town and also help prevent the spread of cholera.
“Council today embarked on a blitz to get rid of illegal vending which has caused chaos and led to littering in the city,” the Council said.
“At least 45 pushcart operators were arrested in an early morning blitz in the city today.
“We encourage pushcart operators to desist from operating in the city as they will be arrested and their pushcarts will be impounded.”
Council said it wants to see order on the pavements, some of which have become impassable for shoppers.
Vendors interviewed said the Council was contributing to poor hygiene in the city centre by failing to collect refuse on time.
“The Council is failing to collect refuse on time and also provide adequate sanitary facilities for people operating in town,” said a vendor along Robert Mugabe Road.
“Council should have engaged the vendors and provided suitable vending sites.
“We all want smart cities but at the same time we need to fend for our families.”
Another vendor, Thompson Gulasa, said:
“While the reasons for the operation are understandable, there was a need for the council to sit down with us vendors and pirate taxi operators so that we find common ground.”
Others called on the Council to maintain the blitz until there is order in the city.
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