Spiwe SarakunzeHerald ReporterTwo feuding Harare street vendors were granted a reciprocal order to respect each other’s peace by Harare Civil Court magistrate, Ms Johanna Mukwesha, after hearing the case involving their dispute.Mr Svinurai Charindapanze alleged that Mr Steven Vutadhi has been abusing him out of jealousy because he was selling more chocolates and sweets than him.“At first, it was just insults and mocking. He would say I was using charm or witchcraft to attract people. I ignored him but he grew more aggressive with time,” he said.Mr Charindapanze said that the accusations had been going on for months until he was allegedly assaulted by unidentified thugs.He said he firmly believes that the attack was not random but a calculated move masterminded by Mr Vutadhi.He said the thugs surrounded him, demanding money and accusing him of stealing someone’s business.When he refused, he said they insulted him, and he realised they were Mr Vutadhi’s friends.“I strongly believe Vutadhi sent them.
He even bragged the next day, saying I should learn to respect others in business,” he said.Mr Vutadhi, however, denied all the allegations levelled against him. He insisted that while the two had clashed over vending space and customer interference in the past, he had no hand in his assault.“Yes, we have disagreed before, but I would never go to the extent of hiring thugs. These are just lies to tarnish my name to have me removed from the vending area,” he testified.Mr Vutadhi argued that the vending war had created enemies for both of them and suggested that anyone could have attacked Mr Charindapanze.“This is how I feed my family.
I will not let jealousy and violence take away my livelihood. The place where we operate is full of competition and jealousy. We all face it,” he told the court.After hearing both sides, Ms Mukwesha urged the two to find peaceful ways to co-exist or explore formal vending options that provide shelter and security.Share on FacebookPost on XFollow usSave
Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald
Source: Herald_Com
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