Sithembinkosi L. Jiyane
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has intensified efforts to curb illegal street trading in the city centre, focusing on pushcart operators and informal vendors operating in restricted areas.
Authorities say the move aims to restore order, reduce congestion, and improve public safety. Under the new regulations, pushcarts are banned in the city centre, while motorists who interfere with wheel-clamping devices face a one-year jail term.
The rules are outlined in the BCC (Clamping and Tow-Away) By-laws of 2023, published in Statutory Instrument (SI) 220 of 2023, which repeals SI 63 of 2015 in line with the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15).
However, many vendors have expressed concern that the crackdown threatens their livelihoods. At the market square, traders report severe congestion as pushcarts, cars, and pedestrians compete for space, creating safety hazards.
Vendors say the pushcarts obstruct customers’ view of their goods, negatively affecting sales. Concerns were also raised that pushcart operators, who cannot afford compensation for accidents, may cause unintended damage to vehicles.
Several vendors pleaded with authorities to find a balance between enforcement and economic survival.
Miss Maraje argued that pushcart operators should be allowed to work, calling for the council to designate routes or vending spaces for them. She warned that removing them without alternatives could push individuals into crime or substance abuse.
“If the City Council removes these people or arrests them, they will end up taking drugs, engaging in theft, and many criminal activities will occur,” she said.
Sarah Gumi echoed the sentiment, noting that many pushcart operators are the primary earners in their households.
“If they don’t have jobs, they might turn to drugs,” she said.
Another vendor, Chireha, said:
“People are just trying to make a living; they should be allowed to work to avoid criminal activities.”
Mr. Mabhena added that forcibly removing pushcart operators could lead to theft and social problems, including increased rates of unwanted pregnancies.
“If people with pushcarts are removed from work, they might start stealing, and this will lead to high unwanted pregnancy rates,” he said.
The council faces mounting pressure to implement regulations while addressing the economic realities of informal traders who rely on pushcarts to survive.
As Bulawayo City Council moves to enforce the new regulations, the challenge remains in balancing urban order with the livelihoods of informal traders.
Without designated spaces or alternative solutions, the crackdown risks not only economic hardship for pushcart operators but also broader social consequences for the community.
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