Vusumuzi Dube
BULAWAYO City Council has given informal traders just seven days to leave pavements, parking bays and other undesignated trading spots, renewing its long-running battle to reclaim the city’s streets from illegal vending.
The latest directive comes after years of council crackdowns, warnings and relocation deadlines, with illegal trading continuing to feature prominently in debates over congestion, cleanliness and enforcement of municipal by-laws.
Traders operating from undesignated areas have been ordered to relocate to approved markets between 26 October and 1 November 2026, with those seeking trading bays required to register with the local authority.
In a notice dated 22 October, the council said the exercise followed a directive from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for illegal informal traders to move voluntarily to designated sites.
“The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public, all Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and stakeholders that all illegal informal traders operating from undesignated areas should vacate these sites forthwith,” reads part of the notice.
But the latest move is not the council’s first attempt to clear the streets. In January 2023, the local authority announced another operation to eliminate unauthorised activities, including informal trading on streets, pavements and roadways, as it sought to restore order and cleanliness.
The following year, council ordered traders along 5th Avenue to vacate the area to allow for the establishment of 500 designated vending bays, with the plan intended to provide organised trading spaces.
In June 2025, the council again announced an immediate crackdown on unauthorised trading and other activities, warning operators to comply with municipal by-laws.
The continued challenge has also drawn concern from councillors. In March 2026, reports indicated that councillors had raised alarm over the growing number of illegal vendors, arguing that enforcement remained a major challenge.
Now, the latest relocation window puts the spotlight back on traders operating outside approved markets and the council’s efforts to bring them into the formal system.
For those seeking legal trading space, the council says verification of previous 2024 allocations and new applications is being conducted at the Dugmore Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Office.
The authority has indicated that priority will be given to vulnerable applicants, including child-headed and female-headed families, widows, orphans, unemployed people, the elderly, people living with disabilities and those with terminal illnesses.
Traders handling food will also be referred to Khami Clinic for screening against communicable diseases before licensing.
The council has set annual licence fees at US$23 for Central Business District sites and US$11.50 for suburban sites, including Highlanders. Monthly rentals are US$11.50 for CBD sites and US$5.75 for suburban sites.
While acknowledging the contribution of micro, small and medium enterprises to livelihoods, the local authority insists that trading from undesignated spaces is not permitted.
“The City of Bulawayo would like to emphasise that, while it values the role played by MSMEs in supporting livelihoods, trading from undesignated places such as road servitudes, parking bays and pavements is not allowed,” reads the notice.
The council has urged affected traders to cooperate during the transition and move their businesses to designated areas.
