By Nkanyiso Moyo
Bulawayoโs street vendors are facing increasing hardships as the Bulawayo City Council intensifies its crackdown on illegal vending, leaving many struggling to make a living.
BCC has recruited 173 new security officers to patrol vending hotspots daily to enforce order. Vendors operating without licenses have been given strict warnings to either formalise their businesses or face eviction.
However, for many vendors, compliance is not a simple option. They argue that the high cost of licenses and limited designated vending spaces make it nearly impossible to regularise their businesses.
โWe are hardworking individuals trying to support our families, but every day, we face harassment,โ said Sinikiwe Tshuma, who sells vegetables and fruits. โThe cost of a vending license is too high, and even if you try to apply, there are not enough legal spaces available.โ
The Councilโs aggressive enforcement measures, including the confiscation of goods, have left many vendors financially devastated. Losing stock means losing income, pushing already struggling traders further into poverty.
One particularly tragic case is that of Mai Pee, a well-known vendor whose passing has left the vending community in mourning. Fellow traders believe that constant harassment by municipal officers contributed to her deteriorating health.
โShe lost everything when council officers confiscated her goods. The stress left her struggling, and she developed high blood pressure, which eventually led to her death,โ said a fellow vendor.
While some residents support the Councilโs efforts to maintain cleanliness and order, others believe a more balanced approach is necessary.
โAs a resident of Bulawayo, I donโt like the littering caused by vending, but at the same time, the Council should create more designated vending spaces and lower licensing fees to help vendors comply,โ said Beatrice Ngwenya, who sells airtime and sweets.
The countryโs high unemployment rate has driven thousands into street vending, with many traders forced to operate from pavements and undesignated areas just to survive.
โThe reality is that vending is not a choice for most people, it is a necessity,โ said Pauline Moyo, a local resident. โThe Council and the government should work together to find solutions that allow vendors to earn a living without disrupting the city.โ
This story was produced as part of the CITE Youth Hub training program, which aims to empower young women with digital skills, enhancing their ability to create and share community news.
