The loss of 'Democratic Accountability' is retrogressive to national development.

One of the reasons we have a failing democracy is because there is no fair balance in terms of political party funding for a multi-party environment.

It's a well known fact that we cannot have politics without money, but on the same notion money is also dangerous where institutions do not have effective transparency and accountability measures in place to monitor financial activities.

Zimbabwe does not have rich parties, but parties whose funds do not have a clear audit and can easily be used to buy votes especially taking into account the difficult economic conditions affecting the larger section of our electorate and the fact that there are no checks and balance mechanism in place that can be enforced where such activities are taking place. Aspiring MP's usually appear towards election time and rarely have an efficient time-table they use to to talk to citizens in their constituents on a regular basis thereafter.

With the growing influence that comes from financially powerful actors,  we have seen how donor funding can easily shape government policy and corrupt and pervert its procurement decisions. We have seen cases where personal or factional war chests can fuel internal divisions, fund vote buying in internal elections, and accelerate factionalism. in political organisations.

Ultimately as most of us now know, money can corrupt a political system and, in the long term, destroy political parties and delay national development objectives at the expense of elitism and hunger for power.

Three symptoms point to the need for comprehensive reform of money and politics in Zimbabwe today:

1. Loss of democratic accountability of political parties to citizens, and within political parties.

2. Increased campaign spending by the bigger political actors, matched with declining electoral participation and fair competition.

3. A decrease in public trust and participation in electoral politics.

Until we have an electorate with changed attitudes, our politics will remain focused on leadership personalities with not much interest directed towards understanding institutional frameworks and how policy and process can be used effectively to hold leadership accountable for their decisions and actions.

"The gap between known public funding and expenditure estimates

remains considerable. … It is in this non-transparent and

unregulated space that both established and emerging businesses,

as well as wealthy individuals, are able to engage in the purchase of

political and policy influence, as well as of lucrative state contracts."

When political parties come to rely on the financial support of a few – not just the votes of a majority – to win and maintain power, public accountability and internal party democracy are undermined. Public funding of political parties currently accounts for only a small fraction of the total funds parties raise. The rest – amounting to millions per year, most of it undisclosed – comes from private sources whose interests cannot be automatically assumed to represent the broader public interest.

The loss of democratic accountability through unregulated party funding extends
to the internal power dynamics of political parties. If we had strong institutional foundations, we would not have leadership continuity problems and corruption which exists from political party levels. If the structures were solid, individual leaders would find it hard to survive as people would understand how to utilise internal process to demand answers from their executive leadership structures.

"While private party funding remains unregulated in Zimbabwe,

opportunities for wielding unfair influence or bribery remain."

Vendors are creative ordinary citizens willing to take "ACTION' to address their personal economic challenges

"Vending has become a normal way of life for even University graduates"

I am People

Street vendors are not a unique development exclusive to Zimbabwe, they are actually an integral part of urban economies around the world, offering easy access to a wide range of goods and services in public spaces. They sell everything from fresh vegetables to prepared foods, from building materials to garments and crafts, from consumer electronics to auto repairs to haircuts.

Vending is not a new activity, it has always existed in Council controlled zones like the Mbare Market stalls where even the most wealthy used to travel to seek good bargains. It's usually created by low barriers to entry, limited start-up costs, and flexible hours which are some of the factors that draw street vendors to the occupation. Many people enter street vending because they cannot find a job in the formal economy.

But surviving as a street vendor requires a certain amount of skill. Competition among vendors for space in the streets and access to customers is strong in many cities. And vendors must be able to negotiate effectively with wholesalers and customers.

Street vendors face other routine occupational hazards. Many lift and haul heavy loads of goods to and from their point of sale. They are exposed to physical risk due to a lack of proper fire safety equipment, and also exposed to injury from the improper regulation of traffic in commercial areas.

Insufficient waste removal and sanitation services result in unhygienic market conditions and undermine vendors’ sales as well as their health, and that of their customers.

Street vending is not a problem, it is the organisation of street vending that is lacking in most urban centres. The creation of membership-based organizations is a good start to helping street vendors navigate their relationship with the authorities, build solidarity and solve problems with other vendors. Government needs to come up with working alternatives, institutionalise vending so there is a legal framework of monitoring their financial earning activities. Our banking sectors can create packaged account products targeted at vendors that can help them grow their profits so they can gradually become stream-lined entrepreneurs. Our Council's can also ensure vending markets have clean facilities, clean water to avoid creating a health hazard.

After all has been said and discussed vendor's mostly exist because of a lack of jobs and employment opportunities in society.