The City of Bulawayo has launched a new crackdown on unauthorised informal trading and related activities in the Central Business District (CBD), urging all traders and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to follow city by-laws.
In a notice issued on Monday, Town Clerk Christopher Dube warned that street vending, operating from pavements and roadways, car washing, vehicle repairs, and unregulated deliveries must stop immediately.
The city said such activities are contributing to disorder and a lack of cleanliness in the CBD.
As part of the clean-up operation, city officials will begin removing illegal trading stalls. Those operating outside approved trading zones risk fines and having their goods confiscated. Said Dube:
The city is conducting an operation to remove unauthorized activities and restore order and cleanliness.
Designated informal trading sites exist, including Egodini Informal Trading and Bhakats Site, and traders can seek assistance at Dugmore Informal Trading offices.
Dube also stressed that under Statutory Instrument 220 of 2023, push carts are banned in certain areas of the CBD. Violators will be penalised under the law.
It’s become hard to walk in the streets.. Pedestrians being fowrced to walk in the road with high chances of being hit by a car,.,. For example btwn 5th and 6th Ave in main street.. It’s a huge challenge to walk
I wish also that the city fathers put more effort in attracting investments so that new and existing industries thrive and absorb some of the youth engaged in Vending. Make shop licences affordable so that vendors can utilise those as fruit and vegetables shops. Give incentives or tax holidays.
True cause if you chase them away today it won’t stop them from coming again tomorrow cause it’s their source of income instead of chasing them away educate them and tell them more about vending licenses
At last someone at City Council is doing something about the menace. While at it can you please resurface Fife St.
Long long overdue
Most of the vendors are educated simple give them jobs there is a reason there are selling they are trying to make a living atleast there are not stealing
Fees rent and daily expenses are being paid out of vending
And please also charge reasonable vending licenses
We can’t have a clean city with broke and hungry people we don’t eat cleanliness
you think this will work i doubt that someone child went to university through vending someone’s child goes to sleep through vending ….someone is going to die or get injured through shasing people
For as long there is no alternative source income,,,citycouncil will waste resources and energy in trying to chase vendors,,answer is simple provide employment and see if you will find us there