Three Shot Along 5th Ave As Chaos and Violence Erupts Between Vendors And Municipal Police
Bulawayo Central Business District was plunged into chaos earlier today when municipal police clashed with disgruntled vendors, resulting in the firing of rubber bullets that left three people injured.
According to police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi, the injured were admitted to United Bulawayo Hospitals. He confirmed that the shooting incident happened after Bulawayo City Council Police fired rubber bullets to disperse a crowd that had gathered to demonstrate against an operation targeting illegal vendors in Bulawayo CBD.
The ZRP confirms a shooting incident in which three people were injured after Bulawayo City Council Police fired rubber bullets to disperse a crowd that had gathered to demonstrate against an operation targeting illegal vendors in Bulawayo CBD on 23/01/23 in the morning.
The injured are admitted at United Bulawayo Hospitals.
Eyewitness and journalist Zenzele Ndebele reported that the incident occurred after a ZANU PF District Chairman Josiah Mutangi instructed vendors to go back to their vending places despite the fact that municipal police had removed all vendors from 5th Ave.
“ZANU PF activists then started moving along 5th street from Robert Mugabe Street to Lobengula Street, checking if the vendors were registered to vote. Those who were not registered were encouraged to register with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). Those who failed to register by the end of the week would lose their vending spaces.”
In addition, all vendors who were not registered under ward 1 (city centre) were required to transfer and ensure that they voted under ward 1. They also had to produce proof of transfer from ZEC.
The clashes between the municipal police and the vendors have raised concerns and highlighted the challenges that small business owners face in Zimbabwe, particularly in light of the economic challenges the country faces.