Friday Deadline for Illegal Vendors in Gweru CBD
By Dumisani Ndlovu — The City of Gweru has given vendors until Friday to relocate to designated trading sites. Addressing traders, Mrs Unity Jaji identified approved vending spaces across the city, saying the sites can accommodate all affected vendors.
Dumisani Ndlovu 
Gweru — The clock is ticking for vendors trading in Gweru’s central business district (CBD), with the city giving until Friday for them to clear out as authorities move to tighten control over informal trading.
The directive has thrown the city’s bustling informal trading community into uncertainty, with vendors now required to relocate to designated trading areas or risk being forced out.
Addressing vendors, Gweru City Chamber Secretary, Dr. Owen Masimba, said the new measures were aimed at bringing order to trading activities in the city.
"The central business district has reached a point of severe congestion that undermines formal businesses, compromises sanitation, and restricts vehicular movement," Dr Masimba said.
"Our objective is not to destroy livelihoods, but to ensure that commerce takes place within a structured, legal, and orderly framework," he said.
Under the directive issued by the City of Gweru on September 23, in line with a Ministry directive to get rid of illegal vendors in cities and towns, all vendors operating in the CBD must vacate the area by September 25.
Gweru City Chamber secretary Dr. Owen Masimba addressing informal traders at the civic centre.
Dr. Masimba strongly warned space barons to desist from such illicit deals.
No vending will be permitted in the CBD after the deadline, except in designated areas, he warned.
For vendors allowed to operate in designated CBD areas, trading hours have been set between 6am and 6pm, while those operating from designated residential market areas can trade from 6am to 8pm.
Dr. Masimba urged vendors to comply with the new arrangements and avoid confrontation with enforcement authorities.
"We are appealing to all informal traders to cooperate with municipal police and health inspectors during this transition.
"Moving to designated spaces will protect both the vendors and the public, and anyone who defies the deadline will leave the local authority with no choice but to enforce council bylaws," he added.
But for vendors who have spent years making a living from the busy pavements and streets of the CBD, the directive could have immediate consequences for their livelihoods.
One fruit vendor selling along Main Street was anxious over the short notice.
"Giving us barely two days to move is completely unworkable.
"The designated market bays outside the CBD don't have the same foot traffic, and most of us rely on quick daily sales just to feed our families and buy basic goods," the vendor said.
Another, who trades in secondhand clothing, voiced concerns over space allocation:
"The council is telling us to move, but they haven't even finished allocating stalls at the alternative sites.
"If we clear out by Friday without guaranteed spaces, where are we supposed to go come Saturday morning?" she asked.
The city has warned that failure to comply could result in arrests and confiscation of goods and prosecution.
City Officials meeting with informal traders at the Mayor's Palour.
The directive is expected to reshape the daily outlook of Gweru’s CBD, where vendors have become a familiar feature of the city’s commercial streets.
Gweru City Assistance Housing Director, Unity Jaji l, advised vendors that the city has identified both designated and additional trading spaces to accommodate all affected traders.
These include Cathedral, which can accommodate 29 vendors, the Road Corridor along Leopold Takawira Street with space for up to 400 traders, the DST area with a capacity of 100 vendors, as well as trading sites at Bansan Flats, Nyaradzo, Amtech and Kudzanayi Bus Terminus.
She encouraged vendors to relocate to these areas to ensure compliance with the city's regulations and maintain order within the central business district.
"We have identified several designated and non-designated trading spaces to accommodate all affected vendors. Cathedral can accommodate 29 traders," Jaji said.
"The Leopold Takawira Road Corridor has the capacity to accommodate up to 400 vendors, while the DST area can take in 100 traders.
"Other available trading spaces include Bansan Flats, Myaradzo, Amtech and Kudzanayi Terminus.
"Vendors should return to their allocated areas and relocate to these sites to ensure compliance with the city's regulations."
"There is enough space for everyone, and we urge all vendors to take up the designated trading areas before the deadline," she said.
