Anti-sanctions rally a big setback for traders

Comment & Analysis
SIMBARASHE MANHANGO INFORMAL traders in Mbare are counting their losses after they were forced to close shop and attend the launch of Zanu PF’s anti-sanctions petition on Wednesday.

Marauding Zanu PF youths rampaged through Mbare and Mupedzanhamo markets shepherding the traders to the Glamis Arena where President Robert Mugabe officiated at the much hyped rally.

Various reports put the attendance figures at 20 000 but indications are that many did not go to the venue voluntarily.

Even in downtown Harare some shops were forced to close their doors fearing that the excited Zanu PF youths might go on a looting spree, similar to the destruction that followed their demonstration against foreign businesspeople last month.

Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena said the force was not aware that traders were forced to attend the rally.

“I can confirm that as the police, we are not aware of any reports concerning the issue of residents who were forced by Zanu PF youths to attend any rally,” he said.

But several vendors and small-scale business owners in Mbare said they incurred heavy losses on Wednesday because of forced closures.

They said the volatile township, which has become the hotbed of political violence pitting Zanu PF and MDC-T youths was increasingly becoming hostile to businesspeople.

Some claimed that Zanu PF had deployed “spies” especially at Mupedzanhamo who monitored their activities.

Several vendors at Mbare Musika said they feared they would not be able to raise rentals for their stalls as a result of the political disturbances.

“We pay US$38 direct to the council and US$50 when leasing other people’s tables and these disruptions might make it difficult for us to raise the rentals,” said another vendor who requested anonymity fearing reprisals.

Vendors at Mupedzanhamo who pay as much a monthly US$100 per table complained that they were failing to pay their rent considering that business had been low since last year December because of violence.

Several workers also reported late to work after public transporters were diverted to the venue of the rally.