VENDORS at Mbudzi Round About market clashed with their
foreign landlord over charging them rent in United States dollars yesterday.
More than 150 vendors accommodated at the market found
gates closed with bouncers demanding to see new lease agreements before
allowing access to the premises.
The premises are managed by one Felix of Russian origin who
refused to entertain H-Metro over allegations that he is demanding rentals in
United States dollars, forcing the tents to sign new lease agreements.
The vendors’ chairperson Skumbuzo Munyawarara told H-Metro
that they were given a short notice to vacate the place if they fail to pay
rentals in United States dollars beginning of January 2019.
“Felix is becoming cruel to us and affecting families
conducting their businesses here,” said Manyawarara.
“Some of the tenants do manicure and he is expecting them
to charge in US dollars.
“Ndiyani angagadzirwe nzara achibhadhara US dollar? “It is illegal to buy forex on black market and we have
nowhere to get the US dollars he is demanding.
“He want all the tenants to pay half the amount in local
currency and the other half in United States dollars but none of the tenants is
willing to sign that agreement since we do not charge our clients in foreign currency.
“What is so disturbing is that the money is deposited into
another person’s account since he is after evading tax and his timing has
affected our business when we are trying to raise cash after paying school
fees.
“We wrote a petition to him where we gave all our
grievances and he promised to meet us only to be met by bouncers by the gate
requesting for new lease agreements.
“It is unfair and he is refusing to meet vendors as agreed.
We will take the issue to higher offices in order to defend men and women
empowered running their business here,” said Munywarara.
0 comments:
Post a Comment