Council cracks whip on push cart operators

Gweru City Council has given illegal push cart operators until Sunday to regularise their operations or risk having their equipment confiscated as part of a crackdown aimed at restoring order in the city centre.

The local authority said the growing number of unlicensed push carts operating in the central business district had become a major concern, contributing to congestion, sanitation problems and disorder within the city.

Council officials said the operation targeting illegal push carts would run until May 10.

"All unlicensed push carts are being removed and confiscated as a way of returning sanity in the city," the council said in a statement.

"Push cart operators are urged to license their push carts with the local authority."

Authorities argue that unregulated push cart operations are creating unfair competition for traders who have complied with municipal by-laws and operate from designated trading spaces.

The council also noted that the uncontrolled movement and parking of push carts in busy sections of the CBD were obstructing both pedestrians and vehicles, worsening congestion in the city centre.

Gweru Informal Traders and Hawkers Association chairperson Lovemore Tingaka backed the council's position, urging operators to comply with licensing requirements and municipal regulations.

"Surely if there are other licensed push cart operators doing their business in designated areas there cannot be exceptions," Tingaka said.

The issue of illegal vending and unregulated push cart activity has remained a recurring challenge for urban authorities across Zimbabwe, with councils frequently citing sanitation concerns, blocked walkways and disruption of traffic flow within central business districts.

The latest enforcement exercise forms part of broader efforts by municipalities to tighten regulation of informal trading activities while attempting to maintain order and improve service delivery in urban centres.