PVED petitions Government over shortage of designated vending spaces

The Patriotic Vendors for Economic Development (PVED) has petitioned Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe over the shortage of designated vending spaces across the country.


In a petition dated 7 September, PVED National Chairman Sawu Jere said vendors were being forced to operate on streets, pavements and other undesignated areas because many local authorities had failed to provide adequate, serviced and affordable vending sites. He said the situation had led to frequent clashes between vendors and authorities, including harassment, confiscation of goods and loss of livelihoods.

“Vending is a critical pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy. It creates employment, reduces poverty and supports families,” Jere said.

PVED said it supported Government’s efforts to promote order, decongestion and formalisation of the informal sector, but argued that enforcement must be accompanied by the provision of viable alternative trading spaces. “We are not against order. We are for development, discipline and dignity in vending,” Jere said.

The organisation called on Garwe to direct all councils and local authorities to urgently identify, gazette and allocate vending sites equipped with basic services such as water, sanitation, waste‑management facilities and security.

PVED also called for a national dialogue involving the Ministry, councils, local authorities and vendor representatives to develop a sustainable national vending framework. It urged Government to suspend punitive enforcement operations until alternative spaces had been provided.

The organisation further wants formal recognition as a key stakeholder in vendor organisation, compliance, formalisation and revenue mobilisation. It said a uniform national approach was needed to ensure vendors across provinces operate under clear, consistent and transparent regulations.

Jere said vendors were willing to work with Government and local authorities to create a clean and orderly trading environment while contributing to national development. “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” he said.

The petition comes amid ongoing efforts by councils to decongest streets and regulate informal trading, with vendors arguing that enforcement should be matched by accessible and affordable designated trading spaces — a debate central to informal‑sector governance and urban vending policy.