Garwe Declares Endless War On Vendors , says clean up operation will stay much longer

By Staff Reporter

THE  ongoing urban clean-up operation in the capital city is not an attack on ordinary citizens, but an essential intervention targeting illegal traders operating at undesignated locations.

Appearing on national broadcaster ZTV during a special broadcast addressing the urban restoration campaign, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe clarified the state’s objective, confirming that enforcement officers are solely targeting unauthorized vendors who bypass municipal council regulations.

The Minister underscored that the government is not targeting law-abiding citizens or legitimate commerce. Instead, the campaign focuses on dismantling illegal stalls and restoring civic order in unauthorized trading zones across the central business district and surrounding suburbs.

Minister Garwe emphasized that the clean-up initiative will remain active indefinitely until the ethos of environmental cleanliness and civic order is thoroughly embedded in the everyday lives and mindset of every citizen. According to the Minister, urban sanitation must evolve from a temporary enforcement campaign into a permanent lifestyle standard across Zimbabwe.

Highlighting security and health concerns associated with unregulated street trading, Minister Garwe revealed that many vendors operate under the pretense of selling fresh produce while secretly dealing in illicit drugs and harmful substances that destroy the country’s youth.

“The cleaning of our capital city is therefore about more than just cleanliness—it is about restoring order, protecting our communities, and creating a better environment for the future of Zimbabwe,” Garwe stated.

The government’s hard-line stance aligns with city municipal authorities, who noted that unregulated stalls have increasingly served as cover for illegal activities, including the distribution of unlicensed substances. Authorities maintain that removing unauthorized structures is crucial to eradicating illicit trade hubs and protecting vulnerable communities.

Despite pushback from informal traders’ associations, the Ministry of Local Government reiterated that the exercise will continue alongside a structured formalization process. Compliant traders are being directed to apply for stalls in approved, municipal-managed markets.

Authorities maintain that establishing a clean, safe, and regulated urban environment remains a non-negotiable priority for the nation’s long-term socio-economic development goals.