Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
GOVERNMENT has moved to reassure vendors and residents affected by Operation Chenesa/Hlanzeka that the ongoing clean-up and enforcement campaign is not intended to destroy livelihoods or people’s property, but to restore order, public safety and environmental integrity in urban areas.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the initiative was aimed at addressing illegal structures and regulating vending in undesignated areas while ensuring that local authorities provided properly designated spaces for traders.
His remarks come amid growing concerns from vendors and residents in several urban centres over demolitions and the removal of informal trading structures, with Bulawayo’s Espramprekini vending sites the latest to see traders expressing anguish over the loss of their sources of income.
Residents in other urban centres, including Victoria Falls, have also raised concerns over the destruction of structures they say has left some people homeless.
Speaking in Victoria Falls on Friday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the city’s Civic Centre, Minister Garwe said Operation Chenesa/Hlanzeka, launched in September this year, was a Government-backed urban clean-up and enforcement campaign intended to promote orderly and sustainable urban development.
“The Ministry launched Operation Chenesa/Hlanzeka in September 2026 as a Government-backed urban clean-up and enforcement campaign aimed at restoring public safety, environmental integrity, order and sustainable development. It seeks to address illegal structures and regulate vending in undesignated areas,” said Minister Garwe.
“As Zimbabwe’s gateway city, Victoria Falls must exemplify order while providing designated vending spaces that balance enforcement with livelihood protection.”
Minister Garwe said Zimbabwe’s initiative had attracted interest from other African countries, with Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania reportedly following suit after its launch.
Victoria Falls Mayor Councillor Prince Moyo echoed the Minister’s position, saying the local authority was not seeking to destroy property or livelihoods but to regularise activities and ensure compliance with municipal regulations.
“The ongoing Operation Chenesa/Hlanzeka seeks to restore order, promote cleanliness and ensure that our public spaces reflect the standards expected of a world-class tourism destination. Council does not wish to destroy people’s property or livelihoods but seeks to regularise activities, provide guidance and ensure compliance with municipal regulations,” Mayor Moyo said.
He, however, warned that those who continued operating illegal structures in disregard of lawful requirements would face enforcement action, including the removal of such structures. “We urge residents to desist from littering, illegal vending and constructing unauthorised structures. Backyard tents, makeshift accommodation and improperly constructed fowl runs also used for residential purposes are unacceptable as they violate planning, health and safety requirements,” he said.
Mayor Moyo called on residents, businesses and development partners to support efforts to build a better Victoria Falls, saying the Civic Centre project formed part of broader initiatives to improve residents’ lives and strengthen the local authority’s capacity to deliver services.
Minister Garwe also urged local authorities to strengthen their preparedness for the predicted El Niño conditions during the 2026/2027 rainfall season.
He called for the clearing of storm drains, enforcement of proper land-use practices and stronger early warning systems to reduce the impact of potential flooding and other weather-related disasters.
“Preparedness is cheapest and most effective. No life should be lost due to unpreparedness,” he said.
