TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises minister, Stembiso Nyoni, has blamed lax enforcement of by-laws by the local authorities saying this has promoted criminal activities in the streets of towns and cities across the country.
Nyoni made the remarks at a meeting with SMEs at Mhlahlandlela government complex this week.
She said the local authorities should tighten their enforcement of by-laws.
“Our SMEs are housed in some workspaces. But, you find someone moves out of that work space and sell outside of a shop. So, we have come to appeal to you mayor, local authority to say please enforce your own laws, enforce your own bylaws. The bylaws are there,” Nyoni said.
Nyoni said private players should partner with the government in creating safe spaces for women.
“We need reinforcement because what is happening in towns is unacceptable.
“If you go to the streets today you will find children sitting there with their mothers. I am also a Minister of Women Affairs. That is not acceptable to find a woman sitting in the streets in the rain trying to make money for her to feed her children,” Nyoni said.
She added: “As a ministry we have partnered with Epworth and we have provided safe markets for women. We would like every city to do that. In that safe market there’s a play centre for children. There is also a place where dumping of rubbish is done.”
Bulawayo councillors have been bemoaning the influx of vendors on the city’s streets especially along Fifth Avenue which they say is politically motivated.
The council blames the presence of illegal vendors for the dirt in the city but with no alternative vending bays.
The council seems to be losing the battle to the vendors. Last year BCC security agencies were beaten by informal traders in the city.
Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Judith Ncube said the government was committed to the development of SMEs.
“Government’s commitment to fund the sector,” Ncube said.
Over the past few years, Zimbabwe has witnessed the emergence and growth of SMEs mainly due to the high levels of unemployment and the growth of the informal sector.
