The Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Association (ZCIEA) has strongly criticised the move, warning that it will worsen the country’s already dire economic situation. Kizito Mupunga, the Acting National President of the ZCIEA, argued that removing vendors without addressing the deeper economic issues would lead to greater instability and vulnerability for informal workers.

Mupunga believes the government’s rationale is misguided, as the underlying problem stems from the failure to provide adequate spaces for informal workers and the continued use of outdated colonial-era bylaws. These regulations, originating in 1937, are no longer relevant to modern economic conditions or Zimbabwe's current constitutional framework, which hinders the informal sector’s growth.

He further said that the government’s decision fails to offer a practical solution for vendors, who form a crucial part of the country's informal economy. According to Mupunga, vendors require accessible, central locations to operate, similar to the prime positions of malls and supermarkets, rather than being pushed to the outskirts of the city where customer footfall is limited.

Mupunga expressed frustration with the lack of genuine dialogue between the government and informal workers. Despite previous discussions about formalising the informal economy, the recent directive was imposed without meaningful consultation or consideration of the needs of street vendors.

--ChannelAfrica--