The Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) has voiced strong concerns over the Harare City Council’s newly formed municipal police unit, arguing that it threatens the livelihoods of informal traders. VISET also raised alarms regarding proposed taxation policies, calling for fairness and transparency.
While acknowledging the need for cleanliness and order in Harare, VISET urged the council to adopt a more inclusive approach that doesn’t disproportionately target vendors, who play a vital role in the city’s economy.
“While we acknowledge the importance of maintaining cleanliness and order in our city, we urge the council to adopt a more holistic and inclusive approach that does not disproportionately impact the livelihoods of informal traders who play a critical role in our economy,” VISET stated.
The Harare City Council recently announced the new police unit will enforce anti-litter bylaws and remove illegal vendors from the central business district (CBD). However, VISET argues that simply displacing vendors without providing designated vending spaces is not a viable solution.
“The introduction of a police unit centered on punitive measures without adequate provision of designated vending spaces, as highlighted by Mayor Jacob Mafume, raises serious concerns about the future of these vendors,” the organization said.
VISET called for meaningful consultations with informal traders to find a balance between cleanliness and economic survival. They proposed measures such as stakeholder engagement, allocation of safe vending spaces, and public education on maintaining cleanliness while supporting livelihoods.
In addition, informal traders have expressed concerns about the government’s proposed taxation policy, demanding a fair and transparent system that supports, rather than burdens, their businesses.
These concerns were raised during a symposium organized by VISET and the Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe (LEDRIZ) last Tuesday, which gathered government officials, parliamentarians, and civil society organizations.
A key issue discussed was the lack of transparency in the use of tax revenues collected from informal traders.
“The symposium emphasized the need for improved processes for monitoring the use of tax revenues collected from the informal sector,” VISET said.
Participants suggested that tax funds should be reinvested in priority areas such as health, education, and initiatives supporting informal business growth.
A proposed framework for implementing the tax policy was introduced, focusing on accountability.
“A framework for effective implementation of the informal sector taxation policy was proposed, focusing on monitoring the use of raised revenues and ring-fencing these funds for the support of informal sector growth and priority sectors such as health and education,” VISET said.
Samuel Wadzai, VISET’s Executive Director, stressed the importance of including informal traders in tax policy discussions.
“The success of this symposium demonstrates the importance of inclusive dialogue and strategic frameworks in shaping policies that impact the livelihoods of millions of Zimbabweans,” he said.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Mayor Jacob Mafume were unsuccessful.
