The sweeping directive was officially announced by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, during a high-level meeting with Harare councillors and officials at Town House.

Immediate Crackdown Ordered, Enforcement to Begin

According to a report by The Chronicle, Minister Garwe has instructed all local authorities, including city and town councils, to commence immediate enforcement of this ban. Councils are now mandated to clear all illegal vending stalls, actively monitor for compliance, and coordinate closely with law enforcement agencies to "restore order" in the nation's city centres. 

Minister Garwe specifically warned that the proliferation of night vending, particularly in the capital city of Harare, had reached "alarming levels" and required urgent intervention.

Rationale for the Ban: Health, Safety, and Economic Concerns Cited

Authorities have cited a range of reasons for this decisive crackdown on informal trading, highlighting concerns across public safety, health, and the formal economy:

• Public Safety: A primary concern is the perceived lack of safety in CBDs after dark, which authorities link to unregulated night-time activities.
• Waste Management: The government aims to address significant waste management and sanitation issues associated with informal vending.
• Health and Hygiene: The ban on second-hand clothing is linked to perceived health and hygiene risks associated with the trade.
• Urban Aesthetics: Officials are looking to improve the general orderliness and visual appeal of urban centres.
• Economic Protectionism: The move is also intended to protect local textile industries from the competition posed by the large-scale importation and sale of used clothing.

While night vending and the "bhero" trade have long served as a crucial source of income for many low-income Zimbabweans, government officials argue that the unregulated nature of these activities contributes to disorder and poses various risks to the urban environment.

Informal Traders Brace for Impact Amidst Public Backlash

The ban is expected to have a severe and immediate impact on informal traders, a significant portion of whom rely heavily on after-hours vending and the resale of used clothing for their daily survival. Many are now anxiously awaiting clarification on whether the government or local councils will provide designated alternative vending sites or other viable solutions to mitigate the loss of their livelihoods.

The government's decision has already sparked significant frustration and a strong backlash from the public. Many Zimbabweans have expressed deep concern that the move, implemented without apparent alternatives, will worsen the already precarious livelihoods of struggling citizens who are trying to earn an honest living.

Here is a selection of reactions from social media, reflecting the public sentiment:

• @Tapiwa Freddy Mkutuma: "Aaaah varikuda kuti vanhu vararame sei?" (How do they want people to survive?)
• @Tendai Chipo Dube: "Ko kurwadzisa vana veZimbabwe ndokutungamira nyika here zvakaoma hazvo." (Is making the children of Zimbabwe suffer how you lead a country? It's tough.)
• @Gugu Dube: "People are trying to make a living, they want to take bread out of their mouths mxxm."
• @tendaitlou: "People aren’t stealing, but’re hustling to make ends meet without resorting to criminal activities, yet the government moves to ban vendors w/t providing an alternative. The same vendors are being chased by Council Officers during the day, then banned at night. Elitist thinking."
• @Dephine Mataka: "Torarama nekutenga hembe kuma bhero tofamba takashama here?" (We survive by buying clothes from bales, should we now walk around naked?)

The widespread public reaction underscores a deep-seated concern that the ban, while potentially addressing some urban management issues, may simultaneously exacerbate poverty and economic hardship for a vulnerable segment of the population.