shloboe boe
Peter Matika, [email protected]
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has initiated a city-wide crackdown on illegal street vending, with intensified day and night raids now underway in the Central Business District (CBD).
The operation aims to rigorously enforce existing by-laws and remove unlicensed traders from undesignated areas.
These active raids, confirmed by a survey conducted by The Chronicle, are taking place across the city, resulting in the confiscation of goods from illegal vendors and the issuance of fines.
Most of the seized items include fresh produce, pushcarts, various snacks and clothing.
Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, confirmed that the council had initiated a series of operations aimed at decongesting the city and encouraging vendors to operate from designated trading zones.
“Yes, there is an ongoing operation, but what I must stress is that it needs to be carried out humanely. We are not depriving people of a means of earning a living, but are simply encouraging them to operate within the city’s by-laws.
“There are designated places where people can register for vending bays, and we encourage them to do so,” said Councillor Coltart.
Earlier this month, BCC issued a warning to all Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as other traders operating in unauthorised areas, urging them to comply with city regulations.
The council stated that all individuals conducting illegal informal trading at undesignated sites —including streets, pavements, roadways, car washing, vehicle repairs, operating commuter omnibuses and buses, making deliveries on the streets, using pushcarts, and running heavy commercial vehicles within the CBD — must cease such activities immediately.
“Council is, with immediate effect, conducting an exercise to remove all unauthorised activities in order to restore order and cleanliness in the city.
“The city has designated informal trading sites within the CBD and suburban areas, which include Egodini Informal Trading and Bhaktas Site.
“All those interested in trading at these sites are advised to visit the City of Bulawayo Dugmore Informal Trading offices for assistance,” said Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube.
He said that any unauthorised trading would be dealt with in accordance with the city’s by-laws.
“In addition, under SI 220 of 2023 Section 7, Item 5, pushcarts are not permitted within the Central Business District bounded by 3rd Avenue, Lobengula Street, 12th Avenue and Robert Mugabe Way.
“Any violations will attract a Level 1 fine and impounding charges. We urge all parties to co-operate with the authorities and to operate only from designated sites. The City of Bulawayo thanks you for your co-operation,” said Mr Dube.
For some time, Bulawayo’s CBD has been plagued by informal traders selling everything from fresh produce to second-hand clothing, often in unsanitary conditions and without proper licences.
This situation has negatively affected the city’s aesthetic appeal and posed health risks to consumers.
The council’s crackdown has received mixed reactions. Some residents have welcomed it as a much-needed step towards revitalising the city, while others are concerned about the impact on the livelihoods of affected traders.
As the raids continue, many informal vendors are being forced to relocate to designated markets or risk having their goods confiscated. While some have complied with the council’s directives, others have resisted, citing challenges such as high costs and poor accessibility of the designated sites.
“The allocated places are not conducive to business. They’re just too far and not easily accessible to customers who work within the CBD,” said Mr Tawanda Bere.
Another vendor described the situation as a constant game of cat and mouse, highlighting the need for vigilance at all times.
“It’s difficult to operate because they’re always patrolling the city, raiding us. We’re now forced to hide our goods and only carry or display a few items at a time, because if they seize everything, we lose a lot,” said Ms Sithabile Lunga, a vegetable vendor operating outside a city shop.
The BCC has remained resolute in its determination to enforce the law and maintain order within the city. By removing unauthorised traders from the CBD, the council hopes to attract more investors and boost economic activity in the area.
The initiative is also expected to improve overall cleanliness and safety, making Bulawayo a more pleasant place for residents and visitors alike to live, work, and shop.
The city recently announced it had secured US$200 000 in funding from the Government of Switzerland to develop Bhaktas Market, located along Lobengula Street and Second Avenue.
Once completed, Bhaktas Market will accommodate up to 500 vendors in designated stalls, purpose-built to provide a dignified trading environment complete with ablution facilities and other essential amenities.
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