Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Municipality of Beitbridge will, from Wednesday, commence full-scale enforcement of its municipal by-laws following the expiry of a deadline for residents operating illegal businesses to comply with regulations.
The operation will run from October 14 to October 30 at all identified illegal operating points under a restoration blitz that authorities say is critical to protecting Zimbabwe’s image as the country’s gateway to Sadc for travellers entering by road from South Africa.
Town Clerk Mr Loud Ramakgapola confirmed the dates in an operational order dated October 13, following Public Notice No. 42 of 2026 issued on September 29.
The previous notice was issued in line with the Government’s National Clean-Up, Restoration, Order and Safety Programme directing all 92 local authorities to restore order in urban settlements.
“Our mission is to maintain order and bring about sanity in our area of jurisdiction by demolishing or removing all illegal activities within our area of jurisdiction,” said Mr Ramakgapola.
The Municipality had ordered all vendors and informal traders operating in undesignated areas, including the border area, Central Business District, Khwalu 1 and 2, Tshitaudze Business Centres, along the Beitbridge-Masvingo and Beitbridge-Bulawayo highways, Dulivhadzimu, Vhembe View, Limpopo View and Milayo Industrial area, to cease operations, demolish illegal structures and reclaim sites to their original state by October 9.
However, a compliance assessment carried out by the council shows widespread non-compliance, with illegal vending increasing particularly along the highway and at road intersections.
These include the Bulawayo turn-off, Masvingo turn-off, Manatrade, Mashavire turn-off, along the highway from the border roundabout, New Baobab roundabout, in front of Mashavire shops, Corner St Joseph and in front of Skem-Bait.
“We have also mapped illegal activities on open spaces, residential stands and car parks, including vehicle garages in Dulivhadzimu, welding shops, carpentry, tyre mending, furniture retail, gas retail, tuckshops, kitchens, barber shops, quarry stone crushing, river sand poaching, brick moulding under ZESA power lines and tombstone selling,” said Mr Ramakgapola.
He said enforcement teams will now move in to demolish and remove the illegal business activities and structures, starting at Ha-Mbedzi Business Centre before moving to other identified areas across the town.
Mr Ramakgapola said the Municipality has enlisted the services of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to carry out raids on all illegal businesses and related activities.
“We have designated 10 markets where traders can be relocated, and we urge those seeking space to visit our offices for registration,” he said.
“These are Dulivhadzimu Stadium taxi-rank, Dulivhadzimu bus terminus, Chocolate City flea market, Chocolate Banamu Market, Vegetable bulk market, V1 vegetable market, Mussina grocery market, Renkini flea market (Mazitye), Border taxi-rank flea market and Tagarira vegetable market.”
Mr Ramakgapola said those who would like to be allocated operating spaces in designated areas should visit the Municipality of Beitbridge offices during office hours for registration and consideration.
Restoring order in Beitbridge goes beyond local by-laws as it shapes the first impression of Zimbabwe for investors, tourists, transporters and returning citizens entering from South Africa.
Beitbridge handles thousands of travellers and commercial trucks daily and is the busiest inland port in Southern Africa.
Officials say disorder, illegal vending at the border area, public drinking, noise from establishments without soundproofing, illegal dumping and traffic congestion at undesignated loading points project a negative national image and undermine border efficiency, investment promotion and Vision 2030.
