INFORMAL traders in Bulawayo have condemned the closure of the Unity Village flea market by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), which sparked widespread concern over its impact on livelihoods.
The informal traders said the closure led to increased unemployment, poverty and suffering among people who were employed at the market.
Speaking to Southern Eye yesterday, Bulawayo Streetwise Informal Traders Association director Percy Mcijo said the move had a devastating effect on families and businesses.
“The current economic situation is already precarious, with many traders living from hand-to-mouth,” he said.
“This kind of exercise will only serve to collapse businesses, leaving many without means to put food on the table for their families.”
Mcijo said a responsible government should prioritise not only enforcement and revenue collection but also the welfare of all its citizens, including flea market traders.
He proposed a gradual approach to compliance, suggesting a 12-month period to allow traders to adapt.
“There should be flexibility considering that people’s livelihoods are at stake,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association executive director Micheal Ndiweni also said the village’s closure had a negative impact on people’s livelihoods.
“We have been engaging Zimra for it to at least find a balance when it is enforcing laws so that people don’t lose out on livelihood,” he said.
“We are concerned that they are impacting negatively on livelihoods and this calls for all stakeholders to come together and find a lasting solution.”
Ndiweni said for the laws to be effective, there was a need for dialogue to come up with a win-win situation between traders and law enforcers.
The flea market houses dozens of traders and is one of the busiest in the city centre, offering different products ranging from clothes and footwear, cellphones and accessories to kitchenware, among others.
