Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Government has expressed satisfaction with the state of designated vending facilities in Victoria Falls, describing them as “decent,” while calling for strategic upgrades to transform them into world-class attractions, befitting the country’s premier tourist destination.
This was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works responsible for local authorities and traditional leadership, Albert Mavhunga, during a tour of the city’s markets on Tuesday.
The visit formed part of a Government oversight initiative to assess compliance with the directive to curb illegal vending and promote formalised trading spaces.
In an interview, Deputy Minister Mavhunga underscored the critical role of vendors in the economy and the need to align infrastructure with Zimbabwe’s developmental goals.
“We are in Victoria Falls, which is pretty much the number one tourist destination not only in the country. So, we are out here to assess the state and condition of vending sites,” said Deputy Minister Mavhunga.
He highlighted the Government’s drive, led by Minister Daniel Garwe, to eliminate illegal vending, emphasising the need for local authorities to provide adequate, hygienic and well-serviced spaces.
“They are a critical player. They contribute to our GDP and we need to ensure the transition from informal trading to formal trading,” he said.
While pleased with the existing facilities, Deputy Minister Mavhunga said there is room for continuous improvement.
“The tour so far has been good. The state of the current facilities is decent, but there’s always room for improvement so that our vendors have facilities that reflect an upper middle-income economy, as we march towards 2030,” he said.
Mavhunga urged the Victoria Falls City Council to tailor its budgeting and development plans to the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), ensuring no one and no place is left behind in the quest for shared economic growth.
Echoing the Government’s sentiments, Victoria Falls Director for Housing, Mr Brian Nyamande, expressed gratitude for the Deputy Minister’s visit, which allowed for direct engagement with traders.
“We are grateful that the Deputy Minister paid us a visit and was able to go on site and see things for himself,” said Mr Nyamande.
He acknowledged the challenges raised by local vendors, particularly competition from Zambian traders who cross over and are not confined to designated marketplaces, but prefer a door-to-door approach.
The local authority committed to managing this issue.
Mr Nyamande also reaffirmed the council’s stance against illegal night vending, which tends to promote illicit deals, pledging continued vigilance and enforcement of bylaws. He reiterated the council’s commitment to promoting and supporting SMEs in the city.
The visit signals a concerted push to elevate Victoria Falls’ vending infrastructure, aiming to seamlessly integrate these entrepreneurial hubs into the city’s fabric as orderly, clean and appealing points of sale that enhance the overall tourist experience and solidify Zimbabwe’s position as a top global destination.
