Online Reporter
THE ongoing Operation Chenesa presents a timely opportunity for Zimbabwe’s urban centres to reclaim their dignity and lay the groundwork for smart, orderly and modern cities.
Across the country, local authorities and law enforcement agencies have embarked on a clean-up exercise aimed at restoring sanity in towns and cities that have increasingly become characterised by congestion, illegal vending, unregulated trading and deteriorating infrastructure. While the exercise has generated mixed reactions, there can be no doubt that urban orderliness is a prerequisite for sustainable development and improved quality of life.
A smart city is not merely defined by digital technologies and modern infrastructure. It is also characterised by cleanliness, efficient urban planning, order, safety and adherence to municipal regulations.
Residents and visitors alike should be able to move freely along streets without obstruction. Roads, pavements and public spaces must serve their intended purposes rather than being turned into informal marketplaces. The success of any city is largely determined by how effectively it manages its public spaces and enforces regulations designed to benefit everyone.
For too long, many urban centres have witnessed a proliferation of illegal vending activities in central business districts, bus termini and along major thoroughfares. While the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship are well understood, allowing unregulated vending to flourish cannot be the solution.
The occupation of pavements and roadsides by vendors creates congestion, compromises public safety and often leads to unsanitary conditions. It also undermines formally established businesses that pay rates, taxes and licence fees to operate within the confines of the law.
Operation Chenesa should therefore be viewed not as a punitive measure, but as an exercise aimed at restoring order and creating a conducive environment for business growth and investment.
Investors are naturally attracted to cities that are clean, organised and efficiently managed. Disorderly urban environments send the wrong signals and diminish the attractiveness of towns that should be positioning themselves as engines of economic development.
There is also an urgent need to address the issue of dilapidated buildings that continue to blight the skylines of many towns and cities. Buildings with peeling paint, broken windows and crumbling facades, not only create an eyesore, but also pose serious safety risks to the public.
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain their structures and contribute to the overall appearance of the urban landscape. Sprucing up ageing buildings, improving public infrastructure and enhancing the visual appeal of city centres are essential steps towards creating smart cities that inspire pride among residents.
Local authorities should complement Operation Chenesa by intensifying programmes aimed at urban renewal. Beautification initiatives, improved waste management systems, rehabilitation of roads and pavements, and the maintenance of public amenities must all form part of a broader strategy to modernise urban centres.
Urban development should be guided by long-term planning that prioritises functionality, aesthetics and sustainability.
At the same time, authorities must continue providing designated trading spaces for vendors.
Informal traders play an important role in the economy and deserve access to safe, accessible and properly serviced market areas. The objective should, not be to eliminate livelihoods, but to ensure that economic activities take place in organised environments that protect both traders and the public.
Properly designated vending sites can offer traders security, sanitation facilities and opportunities for growth while preserving order in city centres.
What is deeply concerning, however, is the tendency by some individuals to resist lawful enforcement measures through violence and intimidation.
Reports of vendors attacking municipal officers and law enforcement personnel are troubling and unacceptable.
Regardless of one’s grievances, taking the law into one’s hands cannot be justified in a civilised society. Public officials carrying out their lawful duties deserve protection and respect. Disputes arising from enforcement actions should be addressed through dialogue and established legal channels rather than through acts of aggression.
The success of Operation Chenesa will ultimately depend on cooperation among all stakeholders, including local authorities, law enforcement agencies, business operators, vendors and residents. Urban order is a shared responsibility that requires collective commitment and discipline. Citizens must appreciate that regulations are, not designed to inconvenience them, but to create safer, cleaner and more functional communities.
As Zimbabwe aspires to achieve upper middle-income status and build modern, competitive cities, the importance of urban orderliness cannot be overstated.
Clean streets, regulated commerce, well-maintained buildings and respect for municipal by-laws are hallmarks of progressive societies.
