Zimbabwe Bans Second-Hand Clothing and Street Vending

Zimbabwe has banned the importation and sale of second-hand clothes and all street and night vending to curb informal trade and restore order in urban areas.

The Zimbabwean government has announced a sweeping ban on the importation and sale of second-hand clothing, as well as all street and night-time vending, in a bold move to clamp down on the country’s sprawling informal economy. The announcement was made by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe during a meeting with officials from the Harare City Council.

Minister Garwe attributed the growing dominance of informal trade to the weakening of formal businesses, claiming that illegal vending had also created a cover for drug-related activities, particularly after dark. He stated that the government could no longer tolerate an environment where the formal sector continues to suffer while illegal trading thrives unchecked.

“All forms of illegal vending—especially in undesignated areas—and the sale of second-hand clothes must cease immediately,” Garwe said, adding that enforcement measures should be swift but non-violent. “Police and municipal officers must work together with vendor associations to raise public awareness and ensure orderly compliance,” he continued.

The ban marks a significant policy shift and is part of broader efforts to restore order in Zimbabwe’s urban centres, where informal traders have occupied pavements, roadsides, and residential areas. The minister noted that while the government understands the economic challenges faced by many citizens, it remains committed to revitalising the formal economy and curbing lawlessness.

Garwe also turned his attention to Harare’s worsening traffic congestion, describing the situation as “unacceptable”. He instructed the city council to invoke existing by-laws to address the crisis, which he said had been worsened by unregulated vending and illegal taxi operations. “We cannot build a world-class city on the back of disorder. It’s time we reclaimed our roads and pavements,” he asserted.

The government has pledged to work with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to create alternative, legal trading spaces for small-scale vendors. However, critics argue that without a comprehensive economic recovery plan, such crackdowns risk further marginalising vulnerable citizens who rely on informal trade for survival.

Zimbabwe’s informal sector accounts for a significant portion of the country’s economy, with many citizens turning to vending and resale markets in the face of high unemployment and economic instability.

While the new policy is already drawing both support and criticism, its long-term impact remains to be seen as the authorities begin implementation in the coming days. Minister Garwe’s directive signals a clear intention by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to restore urban order and reassert control over economic activities in public spaces.