The government has given vendors operating from undesignated areas in Harare and other urban centres until September 9, 2026, until they vacate the streets or face a nationwide clean-up operation.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the government was concerned about the growing number of informal traders operating in areas that have not been approved by local authorities.
In a statement issued on September 2, Minister Garwe said illegal vending had contributed to blocked pavements, poor sanitation, congestion, and disruptions to formal businesses.
“Whilst the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe acknowledges the existence of informal trading as a recognized avenue of livelihood, this, however, should be within the bounds of municipal by-laws and at legally designated marketplaces,” he said.
He said the current situation in the streets had become unacceptable and was also creating conditions that could encourage drug and substance abuse.
“The current state of disorderliness on the streets is not tolerable,” Minister Garwe said.
The government has now issued what it described as a final warning to vendors operating from unauthorised sites.
“All vendors engaging in illegal street and night trading have until Wednesday, September 9, 2026, to immediately vacate these unauthorised sites and relocate to lawful, designated vending markets provided by the local authority,” said Garwe.
From September 9, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, together with other Government ministries, departments, and agencies, will begin a “comprehensive, zero-tolerance clean-up operation” targeting illegal vending sites.
According to the minister, illegal structures, stalls, and other vending sites will be removed during the operation.
“During this operation, all illegal vending structures, stalls, and sites will be completely disbanded,” he said.
Municipal police will also be deployed to prevent vendors from returning to areas that have been cleared.
The operation will initially focus on Harare and the wider Harare Metropolitan Province before being extended to other cities, towns and urban settlements across Zimbabwe.
The government says the exercise is aimed at restoring cleanliness, public order and access to roads and public pathways in line with the National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030.
Minister Garwe urged vendors to use the period before September 9 to move voluntarily to approved trading areas.
“We strongly urge all informal traders to take note of the advice, utilize this window, and comply with the directive voluntarily to avoid loss of their merchandise,” he said.
Local authorities have also been instructed to register compliant traders and allocate them space at designated vending sites.
The government said it remained committed to creating what it described as a sustainable, orderly, clean and safe environment, and called on residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with law enforcement agencies during the operation.