At a time when Zimbabwe’s vendors need community support….

…A new gangrenous cancer is fast ripping apart industry and trade – Zimbabwe’s vendors have complained of the rising discrimination on the grounds of a person’s perceived allegiance to First Lady Grace Mugabe in this new phenomenon now labelled “Graceism.”

Vendors whose total number makes up Zimbabwe’s entire voting population, are being denied registration access on the grounds of their expressed allegiance.

ZimEye.com interviewed National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe chairperson Stendrick Zvorwadza who confirmed the development. “It is indeed true, vending in Zimbabwe is heavily politicised by Zanu PF; Zanu PF induces fear to citizens as a measure to subdue them into submission,” said Zvorwadza.
He continued, “their message is that, if you do not align with Zanu PF, you automatically fall outside their deemed protection zone. In order to enjoy freedom of trade you have to pay protection fees to their Space Barons, who are allowed to own council land for free.
“These Space-Barons are ordinarily above the law in Zimbabwe because ZRP senior officers operate within Zanu PF ranks.
“This is a well designed corrupt system bent to disadvantage those who have democratic, progressive and forward thinking. National Vendors Union Zimbabwe holds a view that such systems in Zimbabwe must be fought and dismantled.
“This is why NAVUZ is in full gear providing civic education to citizens across the country a clear cut tool to fight the institution of oppression that is deep rooted in some of our fellow Zimbabweans. Against all logical thinking, Zanu PF recently founded an organisation by the name ‘Queen of Grace ZimAsset Trust’ as an intimidatory strategy, but this came a bit too late because vendors in Zimbabwe now fully appreciate that the ZimAsset that they so talk about once promised us 2.2 million jobs but to date not even one single job was realised.
“To this end, vendors now have clarity in some clusters within and outside urban centres that livelihood is protected in our constitution on sections 13(1)a, 14, 24, 57(c) and 64.
“Our members now believe in standing firm to resist any shenanigans aimed at disadvantaging them. We view of the aforesaid, we remain resolute and steady fast in pursuing non violent methods in dealing with our ever decaying systems of our government. Unfortunately, these Zanu PF aligned Space Barons are now leading the shambolic registration process that is aimed at having records of Street Vendors mainly in Harare. So far, they are refusing to register anyone without traceable Zanu PF links, either by way of showing a card issued by Queen of Grace ZimAsset Trust or a direct referral by senior Zanu PF bigwigs.
“It is a shame and unthinkable. As a non partisan Union of Vendors, we encourage our members not to be influenced by these toxic ideologies.”