In a bid to restore order in the city centre, Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has launched a blitz targeting pushcart operators and street vendors operating in undesignated areas. Over 100 pushcarts were impounded during the operation, which aims to enforce existing by-laws and curb informal trade in restricted zones.

The operation is part of a broader clean-up campaign focusing on illegal street vending, particularly the sale of imported second-hand clothing. Authorities have raised concerns that this trade has been exploited by drug syndicates using bales of imported clothes to smuggle narcotics into Zimbabwe. Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe revealed that the second-hand clothing trade has been infiltrated by criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, prompting the government to announce a sweeping ban on second-hand clothing sales and night vending.

While the crackdown has been welcomed by some, it has also drawn concern from those whose livelihoods are directly affected. Many vendors have expressed frustration and desperation, with some claiming they were unaware of the operation. “We were going to deliver goods when our pushcarts were taken without warning. Our daily bread depends on those carts,” said Leon Sibanda, whose cart was seized. Gift Phiri echoed the sentiment, saying, “They didn’t warn us about this operation. We are just trying to survive in an economy where jobs are hard to find”.

The Bulawayo Traders and Vendors Organisation’s executive director, Michael Ndiweni, urged the council to balance regulation with livelihood needs. “We call upon our members to practice responsible business conduct. Local authorities should also play their part by allocating proper vending sites so that there’s a balance between the law and informal traders,” he said.

BCC spokesperson Nesisa Mpofu confirmed the crackdown, highlighting its basis in existing by-laws. The council has reiterated its commitment to restoring order in the city while ensuring that legitimate vendors are accommodated in designated areas.

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