3-mob.com 
Zimbabwe has declared a war on vendors that have mushroomed all over the country’s cities and towns.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo says vendors have until Sunday to move to designated areas or risk being arrested.
We are essentially looking at another Operation Murambatsvina.
Chimbo was talking mayors, town clerks, senior authorities and representatives of vendors’ associations.
Vendors we spoke to today professed ignorance on the directive and vowed to stay put meaning we have a stand-off come Monday morning when the state comes down on them. One vendor said Manje isu havatigone (they won’t be able to get rid of us).
National Vendors Union Zimbabwe (NAVUZ) director Samuel Wadzai called the government declaration ‘cruel, inhumane and barbaric’ and vowed to resist the government’s action.
Look, the city has become a serious eyesore and just the other day, it was really weird to see vendors outside a prominent department store in Harare selling stuff you could find in that shop. Like what the hell?
The fact that it is out of control is not without question.
The issue here is, do we have enough ‘designated areas’ to house all these vendors or do we just want them to go away?
Does it make economic sense given current licensing regime for these people to rent space in legitimate places?
And if they resist will a policeman or army person countenance the idea of bringing down a baton on an elderly woman trying to feed someone who one day hopes to serve the country like the officer?
It is easy to make a decision but much harder to live with its consequences.
In all this, remember that these are real people.
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