Nine Vendors “Jailed” For “Attacking” Harare Municipal Police During Anti-Vending Blitz

By Staff Reporter
By A Correspondent|Nine street vendors have been locked up after they allegedly turned violent against Harare City Council police during a clean-up operation targeting illegal trading.

The suspects were identified as Regis Karavhina (43), Mduduzi Ndhlovu (27), Blessed Chinhema (34), Tinotenda Muhlupeki (24), Smart Mafuku (30), Tatenda Pfuwai (30), John Mahlangu (24), Tsungirirai Sanito (19) and Ezra Besamu (17).

The court heard that the group was part of vendors operating illegally when municipal officers moved in to enforce Operation Chenesai Guta at the weekend. It is alleged they mobilised fellow traders to defy the officers before hurling stones at them.

During the melee, a stone reportedly hit a Nissan Almera owned by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), damaging its fender. The damage is valued at US$200.

Police managed to apprehend three of the accused on the spot. They were taken to Harare Central Police Station, leading to the arrest of the other six.

The nine have since been remanded in custody pending further court proceedings.