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Masvingo Women Rights Advocacy Group (MWRAG) has condemned the Intimidation, Harassment, and Sexual abuse of women by the Masvingo City Municipal Police Officers and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) during the chaotic crackdown of vendors In Masvingo City. The increase in cases of gross violation of the rights of women vendors has been witnessed following a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe for all local councils to clear vendors from all cities and streets in Zimbabwe on Wednesday last week.

Since Wednesday last week, MWRAG recorded 16 cases of intimidation, harassment, and sexual assault of women vendors at Croco Motors, N-Richards Hurudza areas, Downtown, Mucheke Rank, and Sisk’s Chesvingo drive and other busy pick-up points areas by the Municipal police and the law enforcement agents collaborating to drive the vendors out of the streets. The vendors, especially women cried fowl as their wares were violently taken away without any warning. Women have been victims more during this crackdown due to their high-risk vulnerability to violence, as compared to their male counterparts who resist arrests and run away with their orders.

The Masvingo Women Rights Advocacy Group calls upon the Masvingo city council and the law enforcement agents to respect the rights of vendors especially women during this and other operations. The Masvingo Women Rights Advocacy Group also urged the council and government to prioritize women during the allocation of market stalls so that they will not be found trading at undesignated places which put them and their children at risk of intimidation, harassment, and all forms of violence.