Commerce informel : émeute à Harare – 11 janvier 2012

Police and vendors fight in Harare

thezimbabwean.co.uk

11.01.12

Business momentarily came to a halt in the city centre as police fought running battles with fed-up vendors who are being raided daily by the city authorities and the police in an operation meant to decongest the city.

by Fungi Kwaramba Email Facebook Twitter Print

Police have set up roadblocks on routes leading into the Harare city centre and vendors who ply their trade “illegally” in the streets causing congestion have been the target.

However, with their line of livelihood cut off and only source of income under threat by the current blitz that began just before the festive season vendors are fighting back.

“There was a team of vendors who came running along Nelson Mandela and they threw stones at the Police Post along First Street breaking windows,” said a witness.

Another witness said that a policeman was seriously injured after an attack by the vendors who chased members of the uniformed forces who included soldiers, police officers, prison wardens and also municipal police in Harare’s main street.

Harare Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Chiroto said that the raids on vendors will continue notwithstanding the resistances from vendors.

“The raids on vendors will continue to decongest the city. These vendors used to beat up our officers (Municipal police) and now that they have support of the police (ZRP) they should not be overpowered by the vendors, said Chiroto. Read more…