Informal traders breathe fire over lack of consultation

Over the years, informal traders have complained over the relationship that exists between them and the local authority. Informal traders, especially vendors have come to a conclusion that local authorities treat them as criminals while general perceptions are that vendors and informal traders are law breakers who need constant monitoring.

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This is emerging at a time when local authorities continue to impose stringent laws and regulations to govern informal traders without consulting those in the sector, a sign that the informal sector lacks proper recognition.

A local informal trader, Pretty Mpofu said the local authority has always treated vendors as nonentities who bring no value to their communities.

“As vendors we are being treated as people of no value. Our local leaders do not value and recognise us let alone the work that we do. This trait has been going on for years and to date that remains the case. Paying of licenses to the City Council should form a basis of a good relationship but that is hardly the case for us.”

“The current laws that are in place fail to complement our day to day operations as these tend to be rather colonial. When you are selling fruits and vegetables you are not allowed to sell sweets and other products because the laws do not permit. This automatically limits our trading ability and our incomes,” she said.

Proposed fines for illegal vending and flouting of other by-laws by hawkers and the relocation of vendors from the Central Business District (CBD) to new vending sites near their residential areas without consulting vendors, sparked debate as it was regarded as indicative of a negative attitude towards vendors.

“Our local authority is of the opinion that vendors are responsible for littering the town. They have attributed all the bad behaviours that happen in town to vendors. For example, the relocation of vendors from the Central Business District (CBD) was a blow for our businesses as our incomes have declined.”

“The local authority did not consult any vendors or their representatives when they decided to move vendors from town. That decision alone had a negative bearing on vendors. Of course, we understand that measures had to be taken to curb the spread of COVID-19, but we still feel that we should have been consulted as vendors,” she added.

Another informal trader, Madade Ndlovu concurred by stating the challenges vendors face when applying for vending licenses from the local authority.

“Our leaders look down upon us, they do not value us at all. When you go to the City Council to apply for the license you are told to go from one office to another until you give up.

“We have been imploring the Council to provide a one stop shop where we can just go and apply. And when vendors are arrested they are later told about the new laws that have been passed without their knowledge,” said Ndlovu.

The Director for Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association Michael Ndiweni said the negative attitude of the local authority towards vendors was a result of failure to recognise the sector as a key driver in local economies.

“I think the negative attitude towards vendors is a result of failure to recognise the sector as a key driver in the economy of the country. The sector plays a big role in contributing towards the Gross Domestic Product of the country but it is hardly recognise.”

“Another pertinent issue is that there is no platform where vendors can engage the local authority. That alone is a sign that the local authority does not value the sector and impose laws without consulting traders themselves,” he said.

Ndiweni added: “Ideological institutions such as media houses have also played a role in promoting the narrative that vendors are criminals. Of course, as of late, the media has been doing well in terms of writing about the plight of vendors, but they have for years created an impression that vendors are smugglers.”

Percy Mcijo, the Director at Streetwise Vendors Association was of the view that the nation as a whole has developed a bad culture of overlooking important procedural aspects.

“Consultation is part of the process. If people need to be relocated for good reason in a democratic society, for smooth relocation you include the affected fully. There is no excuse for what has happened in the face of COVID 19 measures,” he said.

Mcijo added: “The affected vendors are a very important stakeholder in every exercise. They must give their input, leaving them out makes the whole process defective, no wonder why there is resistance displayed consultations must be meaningful and ideas of the consulted should be considered.”

A committee member of the Health Housing and Education Committee at the Bulawayo City Council, Councilor Sikhululekile Moyo said COVID-19 induced relocations have caused problems between the local authority and informal traders.

“Our relations with informal traders are good. We had to move and relocate vendors from the Central Business District (CBD) and that has not gone well.”

Moyo added that: “The City Council is working on projects to develop vending infrastructure from our 2021 budget. Some wards have proposed to use their ward retention funds for the development of vending sites in residential suburbs.”

Moyo said engagements with vendors have been disturbed by the emergence of the corona virus and the local authority has been connecting with vendors through social media platforms.