In an obvious election campaign gimmick, the ruling ZANU PF has told street vendors to continue doing their business from the streets at major urban centres in the country.

In a very lowly attended interface meeting with the vendors in Harare on Thursday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa represented by the ZANU PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri told the vendors that the government will make sure that the vendors are not harassed by Council authorities while doing their businesses from the illegal vending points.

Mnangagwa promised the vendors that government will gradually building designated vending places while they remain operating from the streets without harassment. Mnangagwa blamed the opposition dominated urban councils for harassing the vendors.

National Vendors’ Union of Zimbabwe (NVUZ) chairperson Sten Zworwadza showered praises on Mnangagwa indicating that the vendors have agreed to back him in the electuons elections set for Monday.

“We have been marginalised for long but we now want to work with Government to ensure there is financial inclusion.

“President Mnangagwa has proved to be a double hero and we see him fit to solve the challenges we are facing daily. We will not rally behind leaders who do not even care for us but who instead perpetuate our suffering.”

The vendors presented grievances relating to harassment and corruption, access to loan facilities and Government empowerment programmes, housing and social security.