Vendors' welfare a cause of concern in Kariba district-WCOZ

ZIMBABWE: The Women Coalition of Zimbabwe- Kariba Chapter has raised serious concern over the welfare of vendors and the dilapidated state of infrastructure in Kariba, a development likely to thwart efforts to improve tourism in the area.

The grouping raised the concern during a meeting with the Municipality Of Kariba (MoK) recently.

Among the challenges highlighted during the meeting are the absence of ablution blocks at the market points, collection of litter near the market centers, need for shades or repair of dilapidated structures, renewal of Rhodesian by-laws.

“We have been operating for about 30 years now at Mahombekombe Market. We used to use public toilets until they were destroyed during Operation Murambatsvina, and then we resorted to Spar toilets for some years. Years later, Spar Supermarkets sold the building, and we have been struggling since then”, said Mai Bhobha, one of the participants at the meeting.

Another vendor, Mai Mukondiwa, called on the MOK to build or provide a pay toilet or mobile toilet.

“Kariba is a tourist destination, but what will our visitors go to in case they need to use a toilet,” she said.

“Sadly, we hear rumours claiming that vendors in ward 7, Kariba Heights are dumping human waste everywhere, while tourists are helping themselves anywhere at night for example Kariba viewpoint area”, said Mai Dzorani, a vendor.

Gabriel Maziwofa, the PR officer from Municipality of Kariba (MOK) represented the authority.

“A follow-up on the issue of toilets is going to take place, and a shade and pay toilet will be constructed in Heights. The toilet will generate money from tourists,” said Maziwofa.

Responding to a suggestion by vendors to limit farmers’ time like any other town and charge a reasonable fee for farmers to operate instead of paying RTGS 80, Maziwofa said MOK will have to revisit the Rhodesian by-laws and come up with conducive by-laws that will develop and uphold the welfare of vendors.

These vendors have been operating for almost 20 years now but they do not have a decent marketplace, and they operate in an open space and do not have a toilet.