‘WE’LL WIN WAR AGAINST VENDING DISORDER’

Source: ‘WE’LL WIN WAR AGAINST VENDING DISORDER’ | The Sunday Mail

Theseus Shambare

ILLEGAL vending has become a huge problem for local authorities across Zimbabwe, particularly in urban metropolises such as Harare and Chitungwiza.

Thousands of vendors compete for space in central business districts (CBDs), leading to chaos and litter.

Some streets are now virtually impassable as vendors display their wares on walkways, while others obstruct roads with pushcarts.

The situation worsens during the rainy season, when flash floods, caused by blocked drainage systems, become common.

Illegal traders frequently conceal some of their goods in storm drains, which they also use as receptacles for refuse.

Operations in undesignated areas have naturally led to clashes with local authorities seeking to enforce order.

Vendors, however, often dig in as they fight to attract customers at any cost.

This is why efforts to relocate illegal vendors to designated areas have repeatedly failed.

Informal traders argue that approved sites lack sufficient foot traffic, which they consider essential for attracting potential customers.

But local authorities insist that customers will eventually follow them if they begin operating in selected locations.

Ongoing disagreements between local authorities and vendors have led many to question whether it will ever be possible to clear towns and cities of illegal traders.

“The issue is we have specific spots we operate, at and we respect each other’s space. I am worried that if I move to the designated spot(s), my colleagues here may not do the same and end up taking my spot. It will be difficult to reclaim it should I decide to return to the CBD,” argued Thandeka Karongo, a fruit and vegetable vendor along Robert Mugabe Road in the capital.

Vending hot spots

Harare is arguably the most affected, as vendors have infiltrated even the heart of the CBD, with some establishing bases at a police post along First Street.

Similarly, the footbridge on Julius Nyerere Way, directly under the city officials’ noses at Town House, has become a hub for money-changers and shoe vendors operating in broad daylight.

The area is a chaotic mass of people, a prime hunting ground for thieves who prey on those engaged in risky and illegal currency transactions.

For hawkers like Tauya Kamudzonga, vending is not merely about selling goods; it is about positioning themselves where the customers are.

“We operate at places where potential customers frequent — areas like Copacabana, Market Square, Rezende Street . . . It is all about numbers,” said Kamudzonga.

Designated vending sites, such as the one along Simon Mazorodze Road, remain largely unoccupied.

Despite commendable infrastructure development, vendors shun them, preferring the high foot traffic zones.

The Coca-Cola market at the corner of Seke Road and Dieppe Avenue also struggles; its unpaved grounds and poor drainage make it unappealing, especially during the rainy season.

Harare’s nighttime jungle

The chaos of night vending, however, usually becomes pronounced at night.

During this time, pushcarts obstruct roads, vendors hawk goods from trucks and pedestrians navigate an obstacle course of tomatoes, clothes and pirated music and videos.

Faced with the limitations of designated sites, vendors have become increasingly mobile and adaptable.

They operate from the back of trucks, setting up impromptu markets on roadsides in Mbare and the CBD, chasing the flow of potential customers.

This strategy maximises their sales potential but further exacerbates urban chaos.

The visual manifestation of this struggle is the daily traffic congestion caused by pushcarts “parked” on major roads like Robert Mugabe and Chinhoyi Street in Harare.

As dusk settles over Rezende Street, a different kind of commerce takes over.

Hawkers routinely block traffic flow, highlighting the intensity of the “vendor menace”.

Forget quiet evenings; the pavements erupt with hustlers, their goods spilling out, forcing pedestrians into a chaotic dance around makeshift stalls.

Just to get home becomes a big challenge.

A few blocks away, at the corner of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Park Street, the air buzzes with the shouts of vegetable and fruit vendors with their pushcarts.

They swarm around commuters waiting for their rides, turning the bus stop into a vibrant market.

Imagine trying to catch your bus while dodging piles of onions, tomatoes and shouting sellers?

Construction House, along Leopold Takawira Street, has turned into a bustling clothes bazaar.

New and used items pour out, obstructing the entrance to a popular food outlet.

Hungry customers are forced to negotiate their way through racks of clothing and shoes, creating an incongruous mix of fashion and fast food.

This contrasts with Bulawayo.

The country’s second-largest city battles the illegal vendor issue, but the situation is somewhat manageable.

A good number of the vendors operate mostly in designated areas.

Failed relocation efforts

Harare’s history is marked by repeated, failed relocation attempts.

As far back as 2015, the Government directed the city council to restore order in the CBD, following months of uncontrolled street vending.

The 2018 “blitz”, which resulted in violent clashes with vendors, revealed the deep-seated resistance to these efforts.

In a bid to address the issue, the Harare City Council has registered street vendors with the ultimate aim of formalising their work.

It is envisaged that through registration, a systematic approach will be achieved.

“More than 100 000 street vendors have been registered with the City of Harare to operate at designated areas,” said Stanley Gama, the council’s head of corporate communications.

“All the vendors who are registered with the council will be allocated space accordingly. The move is designed to bring sanity to the capital.”

The impact of the vendor issue is far-reaching.

Residents like Chipo Mutasa expressed frustration with the progressive urban decay.

“The curse of rain: Harare chokes on neglect and broken promises. Vendors just throw everything down there. Maize husks, charcoal, plastic — it is all blocking the drains,” said Mutasa.

Motorists also suffer.

Leonard Dube, a driver whose car was damaged in the floods, is deeply disgruntled.

“My car just broke down in the middle of the road. The water got into the sensors and that was it. I am lucky I was not swept away,” he said.

Urban planning expert Dr Percy Toriro highlighted the systemic nature of the problem.

“It is a vicious cycle. The lack of enforcement regarding vendors leads to the accumulation of waste, which then blocks the drains, causing floods. And when it floods, businesses suffer, infrastructure deteriorates further and the cycle continues,” explained Dr Toriro.

Intervention/collaboration

President Mnangagwa met with representatives of vendors last week, acknowledging their vital role in the economy.

The meeting sought to foster a collaborative relationship, with vendor representatives pledging to work with the Government.

“An attempt by the Government to formalise your sector and create decent workspaces should never be seen by vendors and the informal sector as a direct threat to your survival. We all have a responsibility to build, modernise and industrialise our country,” he said.

He called for “free and frank” dialogue, urging vendors to complement Government efforts.

The President also directed the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to collaborate with local councils and the private sector to build market stalls with essential infrastructure.

“We must have order and as responsible citizens, we should never gloss over this matter,” he said. He also warned against the abuse of the sector by criminal elements.

Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works issued an ultimatum to local authorities to clear illegal vendors, citing significant public health concerns.

“Efforts are being made to clear the streets of illegal vendors, and we will eventually do so through a properly laid-out plan,” said Minister Daniel Garwe.

“Illegal vending perpetuates unsanitary conditions as vendors operate in areas without potable water and ablution facilities, posing a significant risk for disease outbreaks such as typhoid, dysentery and cholera.

“Furthermore, the accumulation of waste from these vendors has rendered some roads, sanitary lanes and sidewalks impassable, exacerbating public health and security issues.”

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume pledged the city council’s cooperation.

“We are also committed as a council to the enforcement of by-laws,” he said, indicating a willingness to collaborate with Central Government.

Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association programmes officer Debra Mukasa expressed gratitude for the President’s engagement.

“We would like to thank the President for his commitment to engage us and address concerns regarding our livelihoods. We discussed solutions for ensuring orderliness and cleanliness as the Government expressed commitment to modernise vending infrastructure,” she said.

Secretary for all tuckshop associations Lovemore Mudzoki echoed this sentiment.

“We are committed to working together with the Government and we are saying no to demonstrations because they affect our work. Let us work and solve whatever issues amicably,” he said.

The Government warned against night vending and municipal police harassment.

Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said she was pleased that vendors had committed to orderly conduct.

“These vendors are committed to ensuring that they meet the cost of bringing up their families,” she said.

Global perspective

The vendor challenges faced by the country are not unique.

The “World Cities Report 2024: Cities and Climate Action”, published by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), notes that “limited drainage, sanitation and other essential systems are rendering many cities in Sub-Saharan Africa especially vulnerable to the current and future impacts of climate change”.

The report emphasises the need for comprehensive urban planning and infrastructure development to address these issues.

As it stands, there is a need for local authorities to balance the economic needs of their vendors with the imperative to maintain urban order.

The challenge is immense, requiring a collaborative approach between the Government, city councils and the vendors themselves.