Bulawayo City Council cracks down on illegal street vendors

The National Consumer Rights Association (Nacora) has expressed support for the ongoing operation by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) aimed at curbing the growing presence of illegal street vendors in the city's business district.

Earlier this month, BCC bolstered its municipal police force with 173 newly-trained officers tasked with restoring order and cleanliness in the city. These recruits have since been on the streets, cracking down on vendors operating without the necessary licenses, as part of the city's efforts to maintain order.

Nacora coordinator Effie Ncube welcomed the action, emphasizing that the operation was crucial for restoring cleanliness and ensuring the city remains law-abiding. She stressed the need for a balance between maintaining a clean city and providing income opportunities for vulnerable communities.

"We need to work on balancing having a clean and law-abiding city on one hand and opportunities for the vulnerable communities to earn income for their families on the other," Ncube said. "Achieving this balance requires continuous dialogue and an acceptance of the bottom line by both the vendors and the council."

Ncube acknowledged that shifting attitudes would take time, but emphasized that incomes must be earned without compromising the city's cleanliness. She underscored the importance of sustained engagement between all parties involved to ensure that Bulawayo remains a place of both opportunity and cleanliness.

Michael Ndiweni, director of the Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association, echoed Ncube's sentiment. He highlighted concerns raised by licensed businesses, which feel disadvantaged by the illegal vendors operating without permits. Many licensed traders have flagged the unfair competition posed by vendors who do not contribute to the local taxes and sit directly outside their shops.

"It's unfair for them to be paying taxes and to the council, while others are allowed to trade without paying anything, on top of sitting right in front of their shops," Ndiweni said. "We will continue having these kinds of conflicts as long as people are trading without the proper licensing."

Ndiweni noted that while the vendors are trying to make a living, the issue lies in the enforcement of city by-laws, which the council is obligated to uphold. He called for a balance between allowing people to work and ensuring that their activities do not disrupt others or breach local laws.

"As much as the situation is bad for everyone, people have to share the city," Ndiweni added. "We need sober minds to deal with the situation."

Some residents, however, criticized the council for not acting sooner when the number of illegal vendors began to rise. They argued that had the local authority taken action earlier, the current situation could have been avoided.

"The council did not act on time when the illegal traders were mushrooming," said resident Joilin Maparura. "Had they acted then, we would not be in this situation now. Our problem is that we relax when things are going south and act when the problem has matured and is in its comfort zone."

The crackdown continues as the council and various stakeholders work to address the complex issue of street vending in Bulawayo, striving to find a solution that balances the needs of the vendors with the requirements of the city's urban development.