Mutare City to rid CBD of street food vendors

The City of Mutare has announced plans to launch a wide-scale operation to remove illegal street food vendors from the Central Business District (CBD) in a bid to restore order and address rising public health concerns.

Mayor Simon Chabuka made the announcement during a full council meeting held on Monday, citing growing chaos and health risks posed by unregulated food activities in the city centre.

"People are roasting meat and corn on the main street. This is happening everywhere in the CBD. Soon we will do an operation because we need to restore order and sanity in our CBD," said Chabuka.

The planned blitz will target street vendors operating without proper licensing, particularly those preparing and selling food in open public spaces without meeting minimum health standards.

Council's Director of Health Services, Eunice Muyambuki, also raised red flags over the proliferation of informal food outlets during an interview with Chipinge Times. She warned that the trend, if left unchecked, could trigger a serious public health crisis.

"Illegal street food cooking in Mutare poses significant public health risks due to unsanitary conditions, lack of regulatory compliance and inadequate infrastructure," said Muyambuki.

She explained that common food-borne hazards in such environments include exposure to bacteria, chemical contaminants, and physical debris, particularly when food is prepared, stored or served without basic hygiene practices.

Health inspectors have reported an increase in food-related complaints from city residents, particularly around issues of food poisoning and unhygienic waste disposal.

Council officials say the operation will be conducted in phases, beginning with public education campaigns, followed by inspections and enforcement. Registered vendors will be encouraged to operate within designated sites that meet safety and sanitation standards.

While the move has drawn mixed reactions from the public - with some supporting the need for cleanliness and order, and others concerned about the livelihoods of informal traders - authorities insist the measure is necessary to protect both public health and the city's image.

Mutare is the latest in a growing list of urban centres in Zimbabwe grappling with the challenge of balancing informal economic activity with the need for regulation and urban management.