violence

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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Report GBV – Women informal traders urged

Stakeholders advancing the rights of women have urged informal traders to reports cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV).  BVTA has learnt that cases of GBV have been on the increase during the COVID-19 induced lockdown period which was meant to curb the spread of the corona virus. The national lockdown that started in March 2020 has increased the number of gender based violence cases. Informal traders were not allowed to operate during the lockdown and they were forced to stay at home with their partners and some were abusive and vented out their anger on them. Women in the informal sector have been abused in public places and they have suffered silently without reporting. In a chatroom organized by Emthonjeni Women’s Forum recently, women informal traders that participated in the chatroom were urged by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to report cases of GBV. Some forms of GBV include sexual harassment, sextortion, extortion and physical harassment, some women informal traders have suffered gender based violence from their partners and this was caused by the national lockdown that forced everyone to stay indoors and women were left with no means to make money and as a result some were forced to stay with their abusive partners within households.  Reports from many organizations suggests that because of lockdown, reports of domestic violence have escalated.  Emthonjeni Women’s Forum report state that the forum has attended to some GBV cases that are linked to the pandemic. Campaigns such as 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence are part an advocacy to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women in the informal sector. A majority of women are found in the informal sector and they earn their living in that sector and faced GBV and are denied social protection. A 2019 report by UKAid (2019) states that female cross border traders face high rates of gender based violence, often experienced as poly victimization.

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BVTA Press Statement on Harassment of an informal trader by mounted law enforcement agents

Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) strongly condemns an incident of violence that occurred to one of our member and the systematic harassment of vendors and informal traders in the CBD when going about their business. On the 7th of August 2020, a BVTA member was nearly trampled instead hit on the forehead by a horse and suffered bruises near OK Supermarket along Lobhengula Street in Bulawayo. Joyce Leta was coming out of OK Supermarket at Godini where she was bruised by one of the mounted law enforcement agents which were speeding on the pavements. She narrated that she was left unattended lying traumatised on the ground and bleeding on the forehead. Below is her testimony that she shared with Vendors Voice: “On Friday 7 August, 2020, just outside OK Supermarket at Godini I was hit by one of the ZRP horses on the forehead, as they were rushing to TM supermarket just near OK. I was left traumatised and fell on the ground, bleeding on the forehead. People who witnessed the incident came and assisted me in standing on my feet and picking up my parcels which I had thrown onto the ground. They were coming from Ross Camp and I was not aware they were moving on my direction.” “I did not go anywhere to report or seek medication. Where would I report, to who and who injured me? People advised me to go and report at Ross Camp and some said at Central police station. However, I just went back home and drank painkillers. I almost died on that day but well, the Lord saved me. How would I fight this in this country? I will keep my silence. I think a lot of people were injured on that day but who can voice out? No one would, we will just suffer in silence.” We urge the law enforcement officers to respect the rights of vendors and informal traders as they do their patrols. It is deplorable that vendors and informal traders’ rights continue to be violated and treated inhumanely whereas Section 24 of our Constitution guarantees them the right to work and support their families.  The Constitution of Zimbabwe states that all citizens have the right to be protected and the right to life, therefore they must not be harmed. We implore the government to ensure that the citizens are protected even when it is enforcing COVID-19 restrictions, it is its obligation to ensure that the rights of citizens are preserved. Contact 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 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) this year again joins the rest of the world in commemorating 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence in enactment of the theme “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape!” BVTA detests and strongly condemns the harassment of women, youth and children sexually. Rape is rooted in a complex set of patriarchal beliefs, power, and control that continue to create a social environment in which sexual violence is pervasive and normalized. BVTA has learnt that the exact numbers of rape and sexual assaults are notoriously difficult to confirm due to frequent latitude and impunity for perpetrators, stigma towards survivors, and their subsequent silence. BVTA has heard reports of sexual harassment cases, especially on vendors trying to maximise on business during late hours, taking advantage of after work traffic in order to fend for their families. BVTA urges victims of rape to come out and report their cases to authorities and encourage victims to also seek counselling to deal with trauma and depression. BVTA implores local authorities to strengthen policies and laws on protection of humans against rape or sexual harassment.

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