Bulawayo City Council: Orders Illegal Vendor Relocation Directive

• Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube issued a directive on October 22, 2026, for all illegal informal traders to relocate to designated markets by November 1, 2026.
• This relocation is part of the national Operation Chenesa campaign and is based on instructions from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
• Traders must register with the council, providing documents like police clearance and ID, with food vendors requiring health screening.
• Annual license fees are US$23 for CBD and US$11.50 for suburban sites, alongside monthly rents of US$11.50 and US$5.75 respectively.
• Concerns exist that the relocation may disrupt livelihoods and echoes the controversial 2005 Operation Murambatsvina, without addressing underlying economic issues.

For many households in Bulawayo and across the country, vending represents a crucial source of income in a difficult economic environment.

The City of Bulawayo has issued a directive for all informal traders operating in undesignated areas to relocate to approved market sites. This mandate, communicated via a notice dated October 22, 2026, by Town Clerk Christopher Dube, aligns with instructions from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. The relocation period is set to run from October 26 to November 1, 2026, during which affected Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) must register with the council to secure a space in the designated markets.

The directive specifically targets Bulawayo informal traders currently operating from locations such as road servitudes, parking bays, and pavements, which are prohibited under existing municipal by-laws. The City of Bulawayo emphasizes that while it acknowledges the vital role MSMEs play in supporting livelihoods, compliance with these by-laws is non-negotiable. Traders are urged to cooperate with authorities during this transition to ensure a smooth relocation process.

This local initiative is part of a broader national campaign known as Operation Chenesa, which aims to address informal trading and other structures deemed illegal across Zimbabwe. The council has outlined a detailed registration process, including verification of existing 2024 trading-bay allocations and consideration of new applications through the Dugmore MSMEs Office. Priority for new allocations will be given to vulnerable groups, including child-headed and female-headed households, widows, orphans, unemployed individuals, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those with terminal illnesses.

To secure a trading spot within the designated markets, Bulawayo vendors must fulfill specific licensing requirements. Applicants are required to provide police clearance and fingerprints, passport-sized photographs, a copy of their national identity document, and proof of residence. Furthermore, traders dealing with food products will undergo an additional step, requiring referral to Khami Clinic for screening for communicable diseases before their licenses can be issued.

Financial obligations for these trading spaces have also been established by the council. Annual trading license fees are set at US$23 for sites within the central business district (CBD) and US$11.50 for suburban locations, which include areas like Highlanders. In addition to the annual license, monthly rental fees will apply, amounting to US$11.50 for CBD sites and US$5.75 for suburban sites, including Highlanders.

These registration and fee requirements are critical factors that will determine the ability of affected Bulawayo MSMEs to secure alternative operating spaces within the tight relocation deadline. The City of Bulawayo's municipal by-laws trading regulations form the legal basis for this enforcement, aiming to bring order to urban commerce while acknowledging the economic contributions of informal businesses.

The Bulawayo illegal vendor relocation directive has sparked questions regarding the capacity of designated markets to accommodate all affected traders and the potential impact on livelihoods. Critics have voiced concerns that Operation Chenesa, the overarching government campaign, risks addressing only the visible symptoms of Zimbabwe’s economic challenges, such as high unemployment and limited formal sector opportunities, rather than tackling their root causes. For many households in Bulawayo and across the country, vending represents a crucial source of income in a difficult economic environment.

The current clean-up campaign has drawn comparisons to the controversial 2005 Operation Murambatsvina, which resulted in the widespread demolition of informal businesses and homes throughout Zimbabwe, leaving many citizens without shelter or means of support. Fears persist that the latest operation could similarly disrupt lives and livelihoods if suitable and affordable alternatives are not readily available for the displaced vendors.

While the City of Bulawayo emphasizes its recognition of the role MSMEs play in supporting the economy, the enforcement of municipal by-laws and the relocation to designated markets present a significant challenge for informal traders. The success of this transition hinges on whether the new arrangements can genuinely protect the economic well-being of these traders while ensuring compliance with urban planning regulations.

Lawyers advising micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) or informal traders in Bulawayo should immediately review the City of Bulawayo's relocation directive, its associated by-laws, and the new registration and licensing requirements to ensure client compliance and mitigate potential business disruptions or legal challenges, especially given the historical context of similar operations and the tight relocation deadline.

Source: Original reporting via Zimeye