The Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) has urged the government to provide alternative trading spaces before removing informal traders from unauthorised sites, warning that forced evictions could disrupt livelihoods and deepen economic vulnerability.
The call comes after the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works directed informal traders operating in Harare and other urban areas to vacate unauthorised trading sites on 9 September 2026, ahead of a nationwide cleanup operation.
In a statement released Thursday VISET said it recognised the government’s responsibility to maintain clean and orderly cities but urged authorities to make sure the planned operation aligned with the recently adopted National Informal Economy Formalisation Strategy.
“VISET acknowledges the government’s responsibility to promote clean, safe, orderly and well-managed urban environments. However, we strongly urge that any measures to address informal trading be implemented within the spirit, principles and commitments of the National Informal Economy Formalisation Strategy recently adopted by the government,” the organisation stated.
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The organisation said the formalisation strategy represented a shift towards recognising the informal economy as an important component of Zimbabwe’s economy, arguing that addressing informality should go beyond enforcement.
“The adoption of the National Formalisation Strategy represents an important policy shift towards recognising the informal economy as a critical component of Zimbabwe’s economy and towards addressing informality through inclusion, formalisation, social protection, decent work, access to infrastructure and meaningful participation, rather than enforcement alone.”
VISET warned removing vendors without providing viable alternatives could leave thousands of informal traders without a source of income.
“The removal of vendors from trading spaces without viable alternatives risks disrupting livelihoods and pushing already vulnerable workers further into precariousness. Formalisation cannot mean simply removing people from where they currently earn a living. It must create pathways for informal traders to transition into safer, more secure and sustainable forms of economic activity,” VISET stated.
The organisation also called for informal traders and their representative organisations to be involved in decisions concerning relocation, designated trading spaces and enforcement.
It also demanded the provision of “adequate, affordable and accessible alternative trading spaces before displacement”, as well as transparent enforcement procedures that clearly communicate requirements, timelines and applicable processes to vendors.
VISET further called for protection of informal traders against harassment, assault, arbitrary confiscation and other forms of abuse during enforcement operations.
The organisation said registration, licensing and compliance requirements should also be made affordable and simpler to encourage informal traders to formalise their businesses.
It called for investment in infrastructure and services at designated trading sites, including sanitation, water, waste management, storage facilities, security and access to markets.
VISET also urged greater coordination between central government, local authorities, vendors and other stakeholders to ensure that the cleanup operation does not conflict with the objectives of the formalisation strategy.
The organisation said there was a need for a clear transition framework allowing vendors to move from unauthorised spaces into formalised and sustainable trading arrangements rather than simply being displaced.
“VISET believes the government’s recently adopted National Informal Economy Formalisation Strategy provides an important framework for resolving the challenges associated with informal trading in a sustainable and rights-respecting manner.”
The organisation urged the government to use the planned operation as an opportunity to advance the formalisation agenda through engagement with informal traders, investment in infrastructure, social protection and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
“We therefore encourage the government to view the forthcoming operation not merely as a cleanup exercise, but as an opportunity to advance the formalisation agenda through constructive engagement, appropriate infrastructure, social protection and sustainable livelihood opportunities.”
VISET said Zimbabwe could achieve clean and functional cities without undermining the livelihoods and dignity of informal traders.
“Zimbabwe can achieve clean, orderly and functional cities without sacrificing the livelihoods and dignity of informal traders. The implementation of the National Informal Economy Formalisation Strategy must be at the heart of this process.”
The organisation said it was prepared to engage the government, local authorities, informal traders and other stakeholders to find sustainable solutions that balance orderly urban development with the rights and livelihoods of informal economy workers.
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