Zimbabwe police plan to join forces with city guards to kick street sellers off public sidewalks. The Local Government Minister gave these vendors just two days to pack up and leave their spots. More people started selling at night recently, making the streets crowded and dirty and causing problems for regular stores downtown.
Police spokesman Commissioner Nyathi made things crystal clear - they'll help cities make this happen fast. Nobody sits above the rules, and officers will make sure everyone follows them. Past cleanup tries turned into wild chases between police and vendors through city streets in places like Bulawayo and Harare.
Every town faces the same rules with zero special treatment. Police teams will partner with local officers to enforce what the government wants. Vendors keep causing headaches in Bulawayo, especially along Fort Street and near the Tredgold Building, where they sell hot meals to bus travelers and taxi drivers.
Street sellers took over Sixth Avenue completely, turning it into an open market for cooked meals, meat chunks, chicken parts, and even black market booze. More vendors pack the corner at Joshua Nkomo Street, selling dairy products like yogurt and milk to waiting customers.
The area next to TM/Pick n Pay supermarket turns crazy busy after dark. Dozens of sellers appear from nowhere, setting up shop right on the walkways to hawk groceries and secondhand clothes. Many vendors feel totally safe once city officers clock out at five each afternoon.
Bulawayo leaders announced plans to move these street sellers to proper spots at Egodini bus station and Bhaktas' Taxi area. Deputy Mayor Ndlovu said city staff spent months setting up these new places for vendors. He thinks the government crackdown came at just the perfect moment.
Police chiefs planned to meet yesterday evening to discuss how exactly they'll clear the streets. Ndlovu described street selling as a disease that brings chaos, makes driving impossible, and produces tons of garbage that threatens public health.
Minister Garwe pointed out that street vendors work without clean water or bathrooms, creating major health risks. These dirty conditions might cause disease outbreaks like typhoid or cholera. The trash from these sellers blocked roads, alleys, and sidewalks completely.
Government officials ordered all local towns to remove street sellers within 48 hours. Law enforcement will support this operation to maintain order. Garwe stressed that they want safe, clean cities for all citizens going forward.
Zimbabwe has no legal framework supporting nighttime business on city streets. Officials refuse to create systems for evening vendors because they believe it leads to crime, drug dealing, and other serious problems. Daytime sellers already have legal places to run their businesses properly.
Police spokesman Commissioner Nyathi made things crystal clear - they'll help cities make this happen fast. Nobody sits above the rules, and officers will make sure everyone follows them. Past cleanup tries turned into wild chases between police and vendors through city streets in places like Bulawayo and Harare.
Every town faces the same rules with zero special treatment. Police teams will partner with local officers to enforce what the government wants. Vendors keep causing headaches in Bulawayo, especially along Fort Street and near the Tredgold Building, where they sell hot meals to bus travelers and taxi drivers.
Street sellers took over Sixth Avenue completely, turning it into an open market for cooked meals, meat chunks, chicken parts, and even black market booze. More vendors pack the corner at Joshua Nkomo Street, selling dairy products like yogurt and milk to waiting customers.
The area next to TM/Pick n Pay supermarket turns crazy busy after dark. Dozens of sellers appear from nowhere, setting up shop right on the walkways to hawk groceries and secondhand clothes. Many vendors feel totally safe once city officers clock out at five each afternoon.
Bulawayo leaders announced plans to move these street sellers to proper spots at Egodini bus station and Bhaktas' Taxi area. Deputy Mayor Ndlovu said city staff spent months setting up these new places for vendors. He thinks the government crackdown came at just the perfect moment.
Police chiefs planned to meet yesterday evening to discuss how exactly they'll clear the streets. Ndlovu described street selling as a disease that brings chaos, makes driving impossible, and produces tons of garbage that threatens public health.
Minister Garwe pointed out that street vendors work without clean water or bathrooms, creating major health risks. These dirty conditions might cause disease outbreaks like typhoid or cholera. The trash from these sellers blocked roads, alleys, and sidewalks completely.
Government officials ordered all local towns to remove street sellers within 48 hours. Law enforcement will support this operation to maintain order. Garwe stressed that they want safe, clean cities for all citizens going forward.
Zimbabwe has no legal framework supporting nighttime business on city streets. Officials refuse to create systems for evening vendors because they believe it leads to crime, drug dealing, and other serious problems. Daytime sellers already have legal places to run their businesses properly.
