Ministry Bans Night Vending, Again
Government has introduced new trading hours for vendors and hawkers, limiting CBD trading from 6am to 6pm and residential-area trading to 8pm as part of a nationwide drive to restore order and cleanliness in urban areas.
Kwedu News 
Harare — Following an initial ban of night vending in August last year, which largely went unimplemented, vendors and hawkers operating in Central Business Districts (CBDs) in cities and towns have been ordered to trade between 6am and 6pm.
Only those operating in residential areas will be allowed to trade until 8pm.
Speaking at a press conference addressed by Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Daniel Garwe in Harare yesterday, September 17,Permanent Secretary, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, announced that the new trading hours are part of Government’s ongoing efforts to restore cleanliness, order and sanity in cities and towns across the country.
He said the clean-up operation started in Harare and now set to be rolled out across the country.
Eng Muguti said the move is to ensure vending and hawking are conducted within the law and in designated spaces, not stop the informal aconomy.
Eng. Muguti said vending and hawking is an important source of livelihoods for many Zimbabweans, but it cannot be an excuse to break city bylaws.
“One cannot just trade where you feel like trading and feel entitled that you have the right to earn a living.
"Anyone who seeks to earn a living through any business venture should learn the requirements, apply and comply with these requirements,” Eng Muguti said.
He said informal traders are required to obtain licences, as formal businesses are expected to comply with registration, licensing, Zimbabwe Revenue Authorit (ZIMRA) and other statutory requirements.
Eng. Muguti said an enforcement programme is being implemented as overcrowding, illegal structures, poor waste management and the occupation of public spaces has become rampant in urban settings.
He said problem areas mostly include Harare CBD, Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Epworth.
“Our Central Business Districts across the country have also started copying the irregularities and disorganised governance exhibited in our capital city Harare. This ends now and shall not be tolerated,” he said.
The Ministry has, over the past two weeks, supported an intensified programme led by Local Government and Public Works Minister Hon. Daniel Garwe to clean up Harare in partnership with the City authorities, Eng. Muguti said.
Eng. Muguti said stakeholder engagement remains important, but within the confines of the law.
“The Ministry has realised the importance of stakeholder engagement, but this does not mean that we shall debate, negotiate or try to circumvent the existing laws of the land.
"Whatever dialogue that will be held will be about compliance and nothing else,” he said.
He said Municipal spaces management still remained primarily with local authorities, with the Ministry only overseeing that councils effectively discharged their duties.
