HARARE - Has Zimbabwe really sunk to these desperate levels which are punctuated by disorder and vending in major cities?
Yes, the economy is regressing but still there must be a semblance of order particularly in the capital Harare whose once respected Commercial Business District (CBD) has plunged into muddied waters.
Buildings have lost lustre and the once famed First Street has become ordinary like any other street you find in a poor township. These are the signs of the times we live in.
Sadly, no one seems to care a hoot about restoring order, glamour and decency to Harare and other cities that are now choking from overcrowding and vending.
The sight of vendors displaying their wares on almost every street pavement has become common place even along First Street.
One can literally purchase anything from clothes, medication, lotions, and food stuffs without getting into a supermarket, pharmacy or departmental store.
A decade ago, only vegetable and fruit vendors were found on the streets.
But nowadays even street butcheries have now become common place especially in the high density areas.
The same can also be said of the growing numbers of beggars on the streets.
Some of them especially those of school-going age beg under the guise of sponsorship for a school project while others beg in the name of raising school fees.
The numbers begging and vending in the country are reflective of the state of affairs in our country.
The fact that we have university graduates selling air time vouchers on the street is an indictment on the Zanu PF government.
Why doesn’t the Zanu PF government lead a campaign to clean our cities?
The Bin-It campaign, a private sector initiative to promote cleanliness in and around the city, needs to be complemented by sound policies.
Surely, government can do more to help change the sad culture of littering, vending in undesignated areas and overcrowding in the business districts.
While it is understandable that people need to be productive, authorities must also put measures that promote order.
At present, there is nothing suggesting sanity will return to our business districts.
The consequences for disorder and overcrowding are already being felt as buildings and properties affected by these plummet in value.
More devastatingly, shops affected by these lose business.
The present situation is a bad billboard for destination Zimbabwe.
We can’t be a country that promotes vending and begging!