News / National
Bulawayo City Council launches crackdown to clean CBD
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Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has embarked on a city-wide crackdown targeting illegal street vending, with intensified day and night raids now actively underway in the Central Business District (CBD). The operation aims to enforce existing by-laws strictly and remove unlicensed traders operating in undesignated areas.
A recent survey by The Chronicle confirmed that these raids are happening across Bulawayo, resulting in the confiscation of goods from illegal vendors and the issuing of fines. Most seized items include fresh produce, pushcarts, various snacks, and clothing.
Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, affirmed that the council is conducting these operations to decongest the city and encourage vendors to trade within designated zones. "Yes, there is an ongoing operation, but what I must stress is that it needs to be carried out humanely. We are not depriving people of a means of earning a living, but are simply encouraging them to operate within the city's by-laws," Councillor Coltart said. He further urged vendors to register for vending bays at designated places.
Earlier this month, the council issued a stern warning to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other traders operating in unauthorized locations to comply with city regulations. The warning specifically targeted illegal informal trading activities at undesignated sites, including street vending, operating commuter omnibuses and buses, vehicle repairs, and pushcart vending within the CBD.
Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, emphasized that the council is conducting the exercise to restore order and cleanliness in the city. He highlighted designated informal trading sites such as Egodini Informal Trading and Bhaktas Site, advising interested traders to visit the City of Bulawayo Dugmore Informal Trading offices for assistance.
Mr Dube also reminded vendors that under Statutory Instrument 220 of 2023, pushcarts are banned within the CBD boundaries of 3rd Avenue, Lobengula Street, 12th Avenue, and Robert Mugabe Way. Violations will attract Level 1 fines and impounding charges. He urged all traders to cooperate with authorities and use only designated sites.
For years, Bulawayo's CBD has struggled with informal traders selling various goods in unsanitary conditions and without proper licenses. This situation has marred the city's appearance and posed health risks to consumers.
The crackdown has elicited mixed reactions. While some residents welcome the move as vital for revitalizing the city, others worry about the impact on traders' livelihoods. Many vendors are now relocating to designated markets or risk losing their goods. However, some have resisted, citing high costs and poor accessibility at the allocated sites.
One vendor, Mr Tawanda Bere, lamented, "The allocated places are not conducive to business. They're just too far and not easily accessible to customers who work within the CBD." Meanwhile, vegetable vendor Ms Sithabile Lunga described the raids as a constant challenge: "It's difficult to operate because they're always patrolling the city, raiding us. We're now forced to hide our goods and only carry a few items because if they seize everything, we lose a lot."
Despite such concerns, the BCC remains firm in its resolve to enforce the law and restore order. The council hopes that by removing unauthorized traders from the CBD, it will attract more investors, boost economic activity, and improve overall cleanliness and safety, making Bulawayo a more pleasant city for residents and visitors.
In support of these goals, the city recently secured US$200,000 in funding from the Government of Switzerland to develop Bhaktas Market along Lobengula Street and Second Avenue. Once complete, the market will accommodate up to 500 vendors in designated stalls with proper ablution facilities and other essential amenities, providing a dignified trading environment.
The council's ongoing efforts signal a determined push to balance the needs of informal traders with the wider goal of orderly urban development in Bulawayo.
A recent survey by The Chronicle confirmed that these raids are happening across Bulawayo, resulting in the confiscation of goods from illegal vendors and the issuing of fines. Most seized items include fresh produce, pushcarts, various snacks, and clothing.
Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, affirmed that the council is conducting these operations to decongest the city and encourage vendors to trade within designated zones. "Yes, there is an ongoing operation, but what I must stress is that it needs to be carried out humanely. We are not depriving people of a means of earning a living, but are simply encouraging them to operate within the city's by-laws," Councillor Coltart said. He further urged vendors to register for vending bays at designated places.
Earlier this month, the council issued a stern warning to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other traders operating in unauthorized locations to comply with city regulations. The warning specifically targeted illegal informal trading activities at undesignated sites, including street vending, operating commuter omnibuses and buses, vehicle repairs, and pushcart vending within the CBD.
Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, emphasized that the council is conducting the exercise to restore order and cleanliness in the city. He highlighted designated informal trading sites such as Egodini Informal Trading and Bhaktas Site, advising interested traders to visit the City of Bulawayo Dugmore Informal Trading offices for assistance.
Mr Dube also reminded vendors that under Statutory Instrument 220 of 2023, pushcarts are banned within the CBD boundaries of 3rd Avenue, Lobengula Street, 12th Avenue, and Robert Mugabe Way. Violations will attract Level 1 fines and impounding charges. He urged all traders to cooperate with authorities and use only designated sites.
For years, Bulawayo's CBD has struggled with informal traders selling various goods in unsanitary conditions and without proper licenses. This situation has marred the city's appearance and posed health risks to consumers.
The crackdown has elicited mixed reactions. While some residents welcome the move as vital for revitalizing the city, others worry about the impact on traders' livelihoods. Many vendors are now relocating to designated markets or risk losing their goods. However, some have resisted, citing high costs and poor accessibility at the allocated sites.
One vendor, Mr Tawanda Bere, lamented, "The allocated places are not conducive to business. They're just too far and not easily accessible to customers who work within the CBD." Meanwhile, vegetable vendor Ms Sithabile Lunga described the raids as a constant challenge: "It's difficult to operate because they're always patrolling the city, raiding us. We're now forced to hide our goods and only carry a few items because if they seize everything, we lose a lot."
Despite such concerns, the BCC remains firm in its resolve to enforce the law and restore order. The council hopes that by removing unauthorized traders from the CBD, it will attract more investors, boost economic activity, and improve overall cleanliness and safety, making Bulawayo a more pleasant city for residents and visitors.
In support of these goals, the city recently secured US$200,000 in funding from the Government of Switzerland to develop Bhaktas Market along Lobengula Street and Second Avenue. Once complete, the market will accommodate up to 500 vendors in designated stalls with proper ablution facilities and other essential amenities, providing a dignified trading environment.
The council's ongoing efforts signal a determined push to balance the needs of informal traders with the wider goal of orderly urban development in Bulawayo.
Source - The Chronicle
