Maize cob vendors cleared from Harare CBD

The City of Harare has moved to remove street vendors selling maize cobs, citing concerns over littering and blocked drainage systems that contribute to flooding during heavy rains.

A city official said the action also targeted street children who were reportedly harassing residents.

"We have to take action. We want to clean up our city and do everything possible to restore order," the official said.

He added that vendors were storing maize cobs in drainage channels, creating both a health hazard and obstruction to stormwater flow.

"We cannot allow people to continue selling roasted maize in the Central Business District and vandalising our drainage systems. They are storing their maize cobs in our drainage systems and storm drains, which poses a health hazard to residents," he said.

Residents have been urged not to buy maize from street vendors, with authorities emphasizing that the storage and handling of the maize by these sellers is unsafe.