BVTA’ s press statement on the harassment of vendors in Gweru

Bulawayo Vendors Trust stands in solidarity with Vendors and Informal Traders under siege in Gweru, Zimbabwe.

We strongly condemn such attacks on vendors and it is unacceptable under Section 24 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

It is heartless, people have no sources of income, where should they go? The economy is struggling.

We want to put accross that only 12,8% of the population are in the sector for entrepreneurial purposes the rest are in there for subsistence due to biting economic challenges.

We urge the government to immediately halt this brazen attack on economic rights of Gweru citizens.

Scenes witnessed today are not good for a country that claims to want to break with the past and culture of violence.

We implore civic and church leaders to engage the Minister of State for Midlands province and find an amicable way of solving this issue.

Running battles in the streets will leave a trail of destruction of poverty, injuries and worse loss of lives.

Contact details: Fourth floor, Suite 406, Fidelity Life Building Fife street and 11th Avenue Email:bulawayovendors@gmail.com Website: www.bvtatrust.org Phone: +263 713 635 908/ +263 88644210108