Our laws and bylaws should not sleep

THE vibrant hum of Harare’s Central Business District does not stop with the setting sun.

Instead, a different kind of energy emerges as vendors set up shop on pavements, providing crucial access to affordable fresh produce, groceries, cellphone accessories and second-hand clothes for many.

In one of our feature stories this week, we highlight how night vending has become an enduring practice and trade in Harare.

It has become commonplace along busy routes such as Robert Mugabe Way, Park Street (the area behind Construction House), various segments of Julius Nyerere Way and close to key bus terminuses that include Copacabana, Charge Office, Market Square and Simon Muzenda Street.

Undeniably troubling and disturbing is the daily morning view of Harare’s streets and sidewalks, blanketed in litter from vendors and customers.

While the city council has several official vending sites at traditional bus terminuses in the Central Business District, it has failed dismally to adequately equip them to house the increased number of vendors.

Naturally, illegal vendors have claimed some pavements within the city as they follow customers at illegal ranks used by pirate taxis (mishikashika).

However, their informal status leaves them vulnerable to harassment by municipal police, and a lack of access to essential amenities.

This raises important questions around the city’s reluctance to regularise these nighttime vendors — a pressing issue that warrants attention and has substantial benefits.

Policies should include designated areas for night markets, provision of necessary infrastructure such as sanitation facilities and street lighting and a licensing system to facilitate legal operations while contributing to revenue.

This revenue should be reinvested into creating cleaner markets and improving sanitation and waste management.

This is vital for public health, especially in light of the city’s history of cholera outbreaks.

Such measures would not only support the livelihoods of these vendors but also enhance the overall vibrancy and safety of the urban environment.

Once properly regulated, the local authority can boost the competitiveness of night markets in Harare by also focusing on promoting cultural events, and ensuring a wide variety of vendors are present.

Over the years, formal businesses have complained that vendors appear to reap the highest profits since they are not burdened by rental, rates or tax obligations.

A number of vendors display their merchandise at entrances of formal businesses that sell similar products.

With such competition, traditional retail businesses should consider extending their operating hours into the late evening for several compelling reasons.

Firstly, late closing times can significantly enhance customer convenience, allowing individuals with busy schedules, such as working professionals, to shop after traditional working hours.

This flexibility can lead to increased foot traffic and, consequently, higher sales volumes, as customers are more likely to visit stores when they are not constrained by time.

This is worth exploring.

To accomplish this, the council should have a mindset that embraces learning from others as this is essential.

Several countries in Africa and around the world have successfully implemented night markets, showcasing the potential for Harare to follow suit.

For instance, cities like Johannesburg in South Africa, Bangkok in Thailand and Nairobi in Kenya have established vibrant night markets that not only support local vendors but also attract tourists and enhance community engagement.

The experiences of these night markets further demonstrate their role as vibrant hubs of commerce and social interaction, significantly contributing to local economies and cultural experiences.

Harare has the potential to develop a similar framework.

By learning from successful night markets in other regions, the Harare City Council can create a framework that supports these vendors, ultimately contributing to a more vibrant and inclusive urban environment.

But there is also a disturbing trend about night vending and night markets, as they are increasingly becoming a conduit for illicit and/or fake goods.

While the blitz against illegal vendors is usually intensified during the day, at night, enforcement becomes both erratic and lax. So, the gains that are made during the day are automatically erased during the night.

The point we are making here is pretty simple: Enforcement of our laws and bylaws should not depend on the time of day.

Also, our laws and bylaws cannot afford to sleep.

It, therefore, behoves the authorities to ginger up their systems to ensure that the battle against illegal vending, as well as sale of fake goods, is waged around the clock.