News / National
Bulawayo reorganises informal traders
2 hrs ago |
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The Bulawayo City Council has approved the relocation of informal traders operating at the junction of 12th Avenue and Lobengula Street, popularly known as the "Zesa site", to the Lobengula Street Mall in the city's central business district.
According to a report presented by the council's Town, Lands and Planning Department on June 10, the relocation will affect micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) selling fruits, vegetables, new clothing and second-hand apparel.
The traders were initially moved to the site following the temporary closure of the Egodini terminus redevelopment project, which forced informal businesses to relocate to various locations within the city centre.
One of the temporary trading sites was established along 12th Avenue near Fortwell, between Lobengula Street and Herbert Chitepo Street, resulting in the closure of part of the road.
However, council resolved in 2025 that the affected section be reopened to improve traffic flow.
"The road had to be re-opened for a smooth traffic flow and hence the need arose to find an alternative site for traders," the report stated.
To accommodate the traders, council plans to construct new vending bays at Lobengula Street Mall, with spaces numbered 807 to 953 earmarked for fruit and vegetable vendors as well as clothing traders.
The relocation forms part of the city's broader strategy to reorganise informal trading while improving traffic management, rehabilitating infrastructure and supporting economic activity.
In a separate resolution, council also approved the temporary relocation of informal traders operating along Lobengula Street pavements to allow for ongoing road rehabilitation and stormwater drainage works.
The road, which is heavily used by commuter omnibuses serving Cowdray Park, Entumbane, Njube, Nguboyenja and Emakhandeni, has deteriorated significantly due to extensive potholes.
Rehabilitation works, which commenced in March 2025, include pothole repairs, pavement reconstruction, road resurfacing and stormwater drainage upgrades.
Although the project was initially scheduled for completion within 30 weeks, progress has been delayed by unforeseen sewer and water infrastructure challenges.
Council resolved that affected traders be temporarily relocated to shop pavements between 4th Avenue and Lobengula Street, provided pedestrian access to business premises is not obstructed.
Meanwhile, councillors also recommended the allocation of 14 additional trading bays for persons living with disabilities along the 6th Avenue Extension adjacent to OK Zimbabwe supermarket.
The bays will be reserved for licensed members of the National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe who were excluded during the 2021 Egodini relocation exercise.
The latest resolutions come amid ongoing tensions between Bulawayo City Council and informal traders over vending space allocations, relocation programmes and infrastructure development projects in the central business district.
According to a report presented by the council's Town, Lands and Planning Department on June 10, the relocation will affect micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) selling fruits, vegetables, new clothing and second-hand apparel.
The traders were initially moved to the site following the temporary closure of the Egodini terminus redevelopment project, which forced informal businesses to relocate to various locations within the city centre.
One of the temporary trading sites was established along 12th Avenue near Fortwell, between Lobengula Street and Herbert Chitepo Street, resulting in the closure of part of the road.
However, council resolved in 2025 that the affected section be reopened to improve traffic flow.
"The road had to be re-opened for a smooth traffic flow and hence the need arose to find an alternative site for traders," the report stated.
To accommodate the traders, council plans to construct new vending bays at Lobengula Street Mall, with spaces numbered 807 to 953 earmarked for fruit and vegetable vendors as well as clothing traders.
The relocation forms part of the city's broader strategy to reorganise informal trading while improving traffic management, rehabilitating infrastructure and supporting economic activity.
The road, which is heavily used by commuter omnibuses serving Cowdray Park, Entumbane, Njube, Nguboyenja and Emakhandeni, has deteriorated significantly due to extensive potholes.
Rehabilitation works, which commenced in March 2025, include pothole repairs, pavement reconstruction, road resurfacing and stormwater drainage upgrades.
Although the project was initially scheduled for completion within 30 weeks, progress has been delayed by unforeseen sewer and water infrastructure challenges.
Council resolved that affected traders be temporarily relocated to shop pavements between 4th Avenue and Lobengula Street, provided pedestrian access to business premises is not obstructed.
Meanwhile, councillors also recommended the allocation of 14 additional trading bays for persons living with disabilities along the 6th Avenue Extension adjacent to OK Zimbabwe supermarket.
The bays will be reserved for licensed members of the National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe who were excluded during the 2021 Egodini relocation exercise.
The latest resolutions come amid ongoing tensions between Bulawayo City Council and informal traders over vending space allocations, relocation programmes and infrastructure development projects in the central business district.
Source - Southern Eye
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