Local Government minister July Moyo has admitted that city by-laws targetting vendors are too harsh and therefore need to be amended. He said this while addressing councillors from across the Midlands province during an inductioin workshop in Gweru. Moyo beamoned the use of excessive force against vendors, especially by police officers. He said
If an old granny is caught selling tomatoes in the central business district, should we unleash ZRP on her and take her to court? If she is to be made to pay a fine, how much could it be? No, that is too much enforcement and it must not be like that. It will also be a waste of resources, on the other hand, to pursue issues like that… We are seriously thinking about the by-laws that have been made by city councils, especially against vendors. We need to ensure that all actions are in line with the Acts of Parliament that govern operations of councils such as the Urban Councils Act.
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Vendors should have the clean places to sell their products. Not just all over. Zimbabweans, let’s adopt Namibian style where all the corners of that country are just spotlessly clean. Little things like cleanliness, can help revive our economy. A clean country has a booming tourism. Tourists are scared visiting countries that are dirty.