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Florence Ncube, Chronicle Reporter
VENDORS in Victoria Falls have complained over the influx of illegal hawkers from Zambia.

Chinotimba Vegetable Marketers Association chairperson Mrs Otilia Ngwenya said the Zambians were pushing them out of business as they move freely around local suburbs while locals are compelled to sell from vending stalls constructed by council.

“They go door-to-door to sell their goods undeterred while we are stuck at the market. There is unfair treatment by council because we are arrested if we do so,” said Mrs Ngwenya.

She implored the local authority to address the issue to ensure that everyone operates from designated areas.

Vendors pay council to sell at the market and at the end of the day they are driven out of business by people who do not pay vending fees, added Mrs Ngwenya.

The Zambians come into the resort town with goods such as mealie-meal, farm produce, secondhand clothes, skin lightening creams and other products each morning.  At the end of the day, they return home carrying juices, rice, sugar, bath soap and other items that are scarce in their country.

This is despite the restrictions, put in place by the Government in June on the importation of goods that are locally available.

Victoria Falls public relations officer Mr Ngqabutho Moyo said controlling the influx of Zambians who smuggle goods into the country should start at the border with Zambia.

“Over and above controlling illegal vendors, Zimra, Agritex and police are also key players in monitoring the activities of our neighbours visiting Zimbabwe at the point of entry and what they carry,” said Mr Moyo.

Residents of Victoria Falls and Livingstone in Zambia, move freely across the border using passes that they obtain upon request from the immigration department.

Most of the vendors from the neighbouring country allegedly claim that they will be carrying the goods to give to their relatives in Victoria Falls.
Mr Moyo said council once invited Zambian vendors to apply for vending stalls but got no meaningful response.

“The local authority opened a designated trading point for them but none of them registered,” he said.

Police officer commanding Victoria Falls District, Chief Superintendent Jairos Chiwona blamed locals for buying goods on the streets saying they were the ones providing the Zambians a ready market.

“These vendors thrive because locals are always willing to buy from them. It then becomes difficult to operate because they move from door-to-door to sell their goods,” said Chief Supt Chiwona.

— @hurricanefloe