Harare City authorities ban street vending, takes effect Wednesday night

In a move that has raised eyebrows across Harare, the central government and the City of Harare have jointly announced a sweeping ban on street vending, set to be enforced beginning Wednesday night.

The measures have been met with harsh criticism due to their timing, as many citizens rely on vending as their primary means of survival in an economy marked by high unemployment.

Mr. Addmore Nhekairo, the City of Harare’s Director of Housing and Community Services, spoke about the operation at the launch of a revenue collection blitz, calling the vending crackdown a “serious issue” that would be carried out in partnership with the central government and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

“That one is a serious issue and is going to be done by council and central government,” he said.

The joint operation is aimed at eradicating illegal vending across the streets of Harare, which officials argue contributes to congestion and a lack of order in the city.

However, the drastic nature of the crackdown has sparked concern, especially considering the current economic climate in Zimbabwe, where unemployment rates remain high and many families depend on informal vending as their only source of income.

The enforcement of the ban, which will take place under the cover of night, has left many street vendors anxious about their livelihoods. For countless Harare residents, vending has become a means of survival in a country where formal job opportunities are scarce.

“This is a matter of life and death for us,” said one anonymous vendor. “We are already struggling to survive, and now the government wants to take away the only thing we have left to feed our families. It’s a harsh move, especially when there are no alternatives provided.”

The government’s approach has been described as heavy-handed by critics, with many questioning the timing and lack of consultation with the affected communities. “What will happen to the thousands of people who depend on vending to feed their families? How are they supposed to survive in such an environment?” another vendor lamented.

While the government and the City of Harare argue that the ban is necessary to restore order, the consequences for vendors are far-reaching. With few opportunities for formal employment, the informal sector has become a crucial part of Harare’s economy.

As the operation is set to roll out, many are left wondering whether the authorities will offer viable alternatives or support for those who will be displaced by the ban.

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