Harare City Council: Vendor Extortion Warning Issued Amidst Scheme

• The City of Harare issued a public notice on October 12, 2026, warning of an extortion scheme targeting vendors.
• Individuals are falsely claiming to represent vendors and demanding "protection" money from municipal authorities.
• Harare City Council explicitly states no one is authorized to collect such payments or offer protection.
• Vending in undesignated areas remains illegal, and the City will continue to enforce by-laws.
• Official payments for vending permits must be made directly to the Council through its banking halls, not to individuals.

The City has pledged to take stringent measures against any criminals found to be orchestrating schemes to defraud residents through misrepresentation of facts or by impersonating municipal officials, reinforcing the Harare informal trader fraud alert.

The City of Harare has issued a critical public notice, dated October 12, 2026, alerting residents and informal traders to an ongoing extortion scheme. The municipal authority revealed it has received multiple reports detailing how individuals operating from a vehicle are falsely claiming to represent vendors. These perpetrators are actively attempting to solicit money from street vendors under the guise of providing "protection" from municipal enforcement actions.

This fraudulent activity specifically targets vendors, demanding payments to supposedly shield them from the City's lawful efforts to curb illegal vending. Harare City Council has unequivocally stated that no individual or group has been authorized or deployed by the municipality to engage in such deceptive and criminal acts. The City emphasized that these actions constitute disinformation bordering on criminality and are not sanctioned by any official body.

In response to these illicit activities, the City of Harare has reinforced its official stance on informal trading and the enforcement of municipal by-laws. The Council reiterated that all vending activities conducted in undesignated areas remain strictly illegal. The municipality is committed to continuing its enforcement measures, which include the application of prescribed fees and levies for hawking and informal trading specifically within designated sites.

To counter the extortion attempts, the City has provided clear guidance on legitimate payment channels. All fees related to authorized vending sites and informal trading in designated locations must be remitted directly to the Council. These payments are to be processed exclusively through the City's official banking halls, and under no circumstances should funds be paid to individuals claiming to represent the municipality or offer protection services.

The warning from the Harare City Council arrives amidst an intensified campaign by the municipality against illegal vending. This enforcement drive is particularly focused on the central business district and other areas not officially designated for street trading. The City's firm stance underscores its commitment to maintaining order and ensuring compliance with urban planning regulations, making vendors operating outside designated zones vulnerable to legitimate municipal action, which the extortionists exploit.

Residents are strongly advised to exercise vigilance and disregard any fake notices disseminated by unauthorized individuals. For accurate information regarding vending regulations or any municipal matters, the public should consult their local Councillors or visit Council District Offices. The City has pledged to take stringent measures against any criminals found to be orchestrating schemes to defraud residents through misrepresentation of facts or by impersonating municipal officials, reinforcing the Harare informal trader fraud alert.

Lawyers advising informal traders or businesses interacting with them in Harare should be aware of this specific extortion scheme. They should counsel clients on official payment channels for vending permits and the risks associated with unauthorized 'protection' payments, emphasizing adherence to municipal by-laws on designated vending areas to avoid legal penalties.

Source: Original reporting via local municipal notice