Shumirai Zhou
GWERU – The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) recently held discussions with council in an effort to persuade authorities not to remove informal traders from undesignated selling points.
The discussions were held during the SMEs elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Gweru Memorial Library where a new executive was voted into office.
Gweru SMEs’ vice chairperson, Joel Tapera Zimuto decried the running battles between vendors and municipal police and urged city fathers to let the people do their work without hindrance.
“There is a fierce war between vendors and council on the issue of the work space. The council should stop evicting street vendors but should rather look for an island in the streets where these vendors can conduct their businesses without any disturbances,” said Zimuto.
Various business clusters under the SMEs banner including leather business, vendors, cross border, commercial, construction and others attended the AGM.
The business clusters’ chairpersons also gave their reports on the current situation in their sector, highlighting the increasingly difficult economy.
The SMEs treasurer Obert William also gave a report saying there was no money in the SMEs coffers. He emphasised the need to intensify revenue collection efforts as a way to improve the executive committee’s efficiency.
SMEs Midlands province secretary general Bigboy Murenga dissolved the committee and took the chairmanship, leading to the election of new members who will be in office till 2020.
The elected new committee comprises Gweru SMEs chairperson Tafadzwa Mazorodze, vice chairperson Joel Tapera Zimuto, secretary Tsitsi Dabga, vice secretary Linda Chimimba, treasurer Obert William, organising secretary Monalisa Matewa and nine committee members.
“As a province, we are happy with the process and it was a peaceful elective AGM. We hope and trust that the new leadership will protect the interest of SMEs at large. We have given the committee all powers necessary to come up with the agreements with banks and other financial institutions in the best interest of SMEs,” said Murenga.business
