AFRICAN roots musician — Bryn Taurai Mteki aka Sekuru Tau has commended Harare City Council for destroying vendors’ illegal cabins and stalls in most high density suburbs saying this was overdue.

The 2018 losing presidential candidate and former member of Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) said it was time that vending be formalised. “While I applaud council for demolishing these illegal structures, I implore the City Fathers to build safe and proper structures that will house registered vendors. Council should take advantage of the lockdown to construct the new structures.”

A world renowned stone sculptor, Mteki added that vendors should not be allowed to be everywhere with their pushcarts selling bananas in the middle of the city. “We need order!”

Mteki said the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak should be a lesson to Zimbabweans that most of these diseases breed where there is congestion and no hygiene.

“These illegal structures were a disaster and health time bomb because they do not have toilets and water. Some people sleep in the tuck shops where the goods they sell are stored overnight. We cannot allow this to happen — these illegal structures should never be allowed to sprout again.”

The businessman said after the lockdown he is ready to employ some people in his businesses. He runs BrynBrands Private Limited Group of Companies, a fast growing business empire that supplies major supermarkets with various products.

“We have been doing well with our brands and we are ready to expand and formally engage employees in our entities. Zimbabwean businesspeople should create jobs and employ our citizens; that should be the goal going forward after this lockdown.”

Daily News