VISET’s Socio-Economic Champions (SOCHAMPS), at Mbudzi roundabout yesterday staged a peaceful demonstration against the Council’s decision to evict them from their current vending stalls without providing them with alternative profitable vending sites. They peacefully marched to the Council Offices at Mbudzi Roundabout where they sought audience with the local authorities. Among the grievances they raised was the fact that the evictions, which were effected yesterday, were done without prior consultation with the vendors and will result in significant losses of incomes for the vendors.
They also complained that there are no adequate infrastructural facilities that range from toilets, water, sheds and so on at the places where they are being forced to go. The SOCHAMPS also raised concern over the rates that council are demanding which are, in their view, extortionist given the fact that they are not in tandem with the majority of the vendors’ incomes. They also argued that for as long as Council is not investing in infrastructure that support vending, there will be no justification for the rates that Council is demanding.
