Bulawayo steps up crackdown on illegal vendors

Despite Bulawayo City Centre boasting more than 10 000 designated vending bays - enough to accommodate all informal traders - many vendors continue to defy regulations by operating illegally in undesignated areas.

The growing defiance has prompted renewed action from both the Government and Bulawayo City Council (BCC), following directives from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to ban street vending, night vending, and the sale of second-hand clothes.

Authorities argue that unregulated vending has undermined formal businesses that continue to pay rates, bills, and taxes to the local authority, while also worsening littering and illegal dumping in the Central Business District (CBD).

According to the latest BCC minutes, the chairperson of the Health, Housing and Education Committee, Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo, expressed concern over the continued disregard for Government directives and the negative impact of illegal vending on the city's cleanliness.

"The minister, during his last visit to the city, instructed council to remove all illegal vendors from undesignated areas in the CBD to help clean up the city. Vending activities contribute a lot to illegal dumping and littering," Clr Khumalo said.

She also warned fellow councillors against opposing Government efforts to restore order, urging full cooperation with enforcement operations.

"The committee is concerned about the slow implementation of the Central Government directive. This time, a request should be made during the Joint Operations Command (JOC) meeting to involve all security agencies for effectiveness," she added.

Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, reaffirmed that the Government's position on illegal vending was clear and must be enforced without compromise.

"The Central Government directive was very clear - illegal vendors must be removed from the CBD. Night vending and the sale of second-hand clothes were banned, and enforcement operations are on the cards," said Mr Dube.

He added that the enforcement blitz would be supported by the parent ministry, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and other key stakeholders to ensure full compliance.

"The city has more than 10 000 vending bays, which are being shunned by illegal vendors who prefer to operate unlawfully in the CBD. Councillors should support council programmes and the enforcement of by-laws. Any councillor who interferes with enforcement will be reported to the parent ministry," he warned.

Director of Health Services, Dr Edwin Mzingwane, also welcomed the directive, noting that council was taking additional steps to enhance cleanliness in the city.

"Currently, only refuse is collected at night. Sweeping is affected by poor lighting and security concerns, though council has a team that patrols the CBD at night," he said.

The crackdown comes as BCC also moves to enforce a ban on pushcarts in the city centre, in line with the Government's push to restore order in urban areas.

While authorities insist that vending bays are available for all traders, some vendors have expressed reluctance to relocate, citing relocation costs, poor foot traffic in designated markets, and the need for better organisation.

The latest stance by council signals a renewed determination to restore Bulawayo's long-standing reputation as one of the cleanest and most orderly cities in the region, amid growing concerns over urban disorder linked to illegal vending and night trading.