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Vendors in new survival tactics
Sunday Mail
August 12, 2007

WANDERING close to the exit of most retail shops is a group of women one would mistake for pedestrians.

Some with babies strapped to their backs and clutching big handbags containing their wares, they constantly look out for both customers and, of course, their sworn enemies, the police.

"Everyone is a potential customer or police officer, so you just have to be alert," said Mrs Esnath Kahembe, who operates from a retail shop along First Street. She sells carrier bags targeting mainly customers who shop at the large retail outlet. Of late she has also diversified to selling airtime to supplement her earnings.

"Occasionally we approach shoppers and offer them a carrier bag big enough for the goods they will be carrying. We even offer to pack the goods for them, and while we conduct business, our eyes are also darting around scouting for potential threats," added Mrs Kahembe, who is popularly known as Gogo Kahembe.

Mrs Kahembe has been conducting business on the streets for several years and is taking care of her family single-handedly. She buys the carrier bags from various wholesalers. In Mbare she gets the bags made from plastic sacks and these are very durable. She sells a taxi bag for an average of $30 000 and the bigger bags for $50 000.

Mrs Kahembe and her colleagues all over the city have developed a sound communication system to warn each other of impending danger - a unique whistle.

"We look out for one another and often alert our colleagues if we get the chance. It is not always easy but often we are able to run away blending in with the pedestrians. The trick is to make as much commotion as possible to confuse the police officers, giving us room to flee," said Ms Maria Saizi, who operates from a retail outlet along Nelson Mandela Avenue.

She added that of late business has been booming as consumers take advantage of the Government directive to reduce prices.

"People had stopped buying groceries in bulk and that reduced our sales of carrier bags. But since the beginning of the price slash, we are back in business.

"During the past few weeks business has been brisk and I also had the chance to buy some basic commodities. I can sell the carrier bags and fruits while queuing for basic items," said another vendor, who only gave his name as Tom.

Tom frequents a retail outlet along Cameron Street and also sells socks and cigarettes.

The 29-year-old man from Mufakose wakes up early and makes his way to Mbare Musika where he buys fruits in season for resale in the city.

From as early as seven, he is on the streets doing business although he admits that he has been arrested several times.

"I am aware that my business is illegal, but I have a family to support. Besides, where there is risk is where the money. Where the police are, is where the money is, so we will be engaged in these running battles with the police forever," added Tom.

Concerned residents have expressed disapproval of the vendors operations along the pavements.

"Vendors take up most of the walking space and if you step near their stuff, they pounce on you forgetting that they should not even be there in the first place," said a shopper in the city centre.

When arrested the vendors pay fines of $200 000, but they said that they get away with a $50 000 bribe to the arresting officers.

In their quest to evade the law enforcement agents, vendors in the city have familiarised themselves with the council's vehicles.

"I know most of the trucks they use when they are raiding us and we are often clear of them before they even know it," chipped in a dreadlocked vendor only identified as Mike.

Mike is a regular face along Robert Mugabe Road and his wares include stockings, cotton buds, wallets, needles and sewing thread, among others.

Recounting the countless running battles he is often engaged in with the police, he says that the secret is in vigilance.

"When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. When I fail to evade the police I sometimes apply hide and seek tricks. I have an art in evading the police as I often slip through their hands. Sometimes I get arrested and pay fines or spend a night or two in the cells.

"I have some of my stuff in a satchel that never comes off my back and I leave the rest of my stuff at a parcel counter at a nearby supermarket. There is a friendly guard at a nearby alley whom I sometimes give my stuff for safekeeping. You cannot risk displaying everything as the police may impound the items," said Mike. He added that they employ a special type of whistling to warn each other of impending danger.

In a bid to deceive law enforcement agents, some flower vendors who used to operate from the Africa Unity Square stalls are conducting their business differently at the old site.

They do not display the fresh flowers, but only talk in soft and hushed tones to passers-by.

"Upon the realisation that customers were used to getting their flowers from this place, I opted to continue with the trade. I still get my flowers from the same old suppliers and have a steady client base," said Mr Tawanda Sagumbetu as he goes through his newspaper. On first glance, he would fool anyone because of his trendy dressing.

There is now a new breed of vendors specialising in vegetables that descends on the city's busy roads and bus terminuses in the late afternoon.

"Every weekday I am on the street from three in the afternoon until eight as I sell vegetables to workers on their way home.

"These pay better than in the residential areas, but it is not all rosy as we are often raided by the police. The trick is to spread the goods on a sack that you can easily roll up and flee when the police come," said Mrs Petronella Masoka of Domboshawa.

"I've lost a good deal of stuff to the police, but there is no job without its own hazards," added Mrs Masoka.

At most shopping centres in the residential areas, vendors have become part of the scenario. It is interesting how all the vendors will disperse at the sight or rumour of police presence.

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