illegal

BVTA Statement on assault of informal traders in Bulawayo

18 July, 2023 Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) learns with shock the assault of informal traders that was widely reported on social media at 5th Avenue in Bulawayo. We have at many occasions on record, condemned and frowned upon the issue of space barons who are undermining all local government laws and national laws that govern the informal economy. Our conviction is that no group must put the law unto itself, it is a crime to assault those who are working hard to eke a living, and we hope law enforcements agents will rise above this matter and arrest the perpetrators of violence against informal traders, informal traders have overtime decried abuse from space barons who demand a dollar a day for protection. We also urge informal traders to be vigilant and not kow tow to these unscrupulous individuals who always promise them protection through demanding, bribes and extortionist shenanigans. Informal traders are out there to work and provide for their families not to be abused by illegal space barons hiding behind political connections. We are very sorry to the journalist who was assaulted while covering acts of violence meted on informal traders in Bulawayo Central Business District. We believe violence in any form has no place in our society, hence we will continue to advocate for safe and decent working spaces for informal traders particularly vulnerable groups like women informal traders. We call for multi stakeholder dialogues to resolve informal traders’ challenges and eliminate the risks of working in the informal economy. Issued by BVTA Information and Publicity UnitContact details: Fourth floor, Suite 406, Fidelity Life Building Fife street and 11th Avenue Email:bulawayovendors@gmail.com Facebook: Bulawayo Vendors Trust/ Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association Twitter: @bvtatrust Website: www.bvtatrust.org Phone: +263 713 635 908

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BVTA Press Statement on Reports that some unscrupulous shop owners and some vendors are using embalming chemicals to preserve meat.

Bulawayo Vendors and traders Association (BVTA) learns with sadness, the duping of people by the unscrupulous meat retailers in Zimbabwe who are using embalming chemicals as meat preservatives. It is very sad that the power failures that are taking place are adding to the crisis in which meat retailers scam people through the use of formalin, a chemical mixture of preservatives used on corpses to keep them fresh. It is disheartening that also crooked vendors are injecting steroids into both living and packed meat and this can hurt the consumers in the long run. BVTA condemns this act by these crooked vendors who are using embalming chemicals to preserve meat and at the sametime tarnishing the image of genuine vendors who are struggling to make ends meet. BVTA believes that informal traders and vendors have always played a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s economy and have created livelihood opportunities, hence such vendors should treat consumers with honesty and respect. World Health Organisation Constitution states that understanding health as a human right creates a legal obligation on states to ensure access to timely and affordable health care and to provide for the underlying determinants of health like food. BVTA shall to continue to impart vendors and informal traders with knowledge on the importance of health, hygiene and sanitation. Ends//

BVTA Press Statement on Reports that some unscrupulous shop owners and some vendors are using embalming chemicals to preserve meat. Read More »