Zimbabwe night vending ban falters

Government's widely publicised ban on night vending has all but collapsed, with vendors across major cities continuing operations in open defiance of the decree, exposing deep cracks between policy pronouncements and economic realities on the ground.

Announced in August by Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe, the ban was intended to "restore order," promote formalisation, and curb illicit activities said to be proliferating under the cover of darkness.

Garwe had argued that night vending encouraged the sale of illicit drugs and substances — activities he described as threats to both national security and public health.

However, the directive met immediate resistance from vendor unions, legal experts and civil society groups, who branded the measure ill-conceived, unconstitutional and economically destructive.

Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) executive director Samuel Wadzai said the policy failed to consider the harsh economic conditions driving citizens into informal trade.

"This proposed ban was ill-informed and unfair, particularly because it disregards the livelihoods of countless vendors who rely on night sales to support their families," Wadzai said.

"Night vending is not merely a matter of choice for many; it is a necessity driven by economic circumstances and the need for flexible working hours."

He warned that criminalising informal work risked deepening poverty and social instability.

The National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe (NAVUZ) similarly condemned the ban, saying it would "cripple livelihoods in a struggling economy and risk provoking social unrest."

Constitutional lawyer Advocate Fadzayi Mahere challenged the legality of the measure, arguing that it violated constitutional protections around economic rights and due process.

"As a matter of law, you have no power to ban trade or any other activity by Press statement," Mahere said.

Despite official insistence that the policy remains in force, enforcement has faltered. By late October, vendors in Harare, Bulawayo, and other cities continued trading in undesignated areas — often under the watch of passive authorities.

Observers attribute the failure to the absence of affordable alternatives. Designated vending sites are overcrowded and carry prohibitive fees, with many traders forced back onto the streets.

"They want me to pay US$50 weekly rent at Copacabana, but my entire profit might not reach US$30," said Miriam Chidemo, a vegetable vendor.

"The designated sites are too far from customers and the fees are exorbitant."

Another vendor, Tinashe Moyo, who sells electrical accessories in central Harare, said night vending was his only viable source of income.

"Where does the government expect me to get money for school fees and rent if I do not work at night?" he asked.

"During the day, competition is high, but at night I can actually earn enough to feed my family."

Economists say the failed implementation reflects a broader disconnect between policy intent and socio-economic reality.

"The informal sector employs over 90% of the workforce and contributes significantly to GDP," said independent economist Prosper Mutambi.

"When you announce a ban without viable alternatives, you're essentially attacking the very survival mechanisms people have developed in response to formal economic contraction."

He added that the episode illustrates a recurring governance challenge: top-down policy directives issued without adequate consultation or feasibility planning.

"The government must recognise that the informal economy isn't going away," Mutambi said.

"Smart policy should focus on integration and support, not eradication."

Wadzai echoed the call for dialogue, saying lasting solutions require collaboration rather than confrontation.

"Restrictions and bans are not sustainable solutions," he said.

"Constructive engagement between the government, local authorities and vendors is essential to identify practical ways forward."

The Local Government ministry has maintained that the ban remains in effect, but on the streets, night vending continues largely unabated — a sign that economic necessity has once again trumped administrative decree.