Zimbabwe Government's Ban on Second-Hand Clothing and Street Vending Sparks Backlash

The Zimbabwean government's move to ban the sale of second-hand clothing and clamp down on street vending has sparked outrage from residents and legal experts. The Ministry of Local Government, led by Minister Daniel Garwe, announced the ban alongside a crackdown on night and street vending in Harare, citing the need to restore order in the city's streets. However, the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has described the decision as "unilateral, undemocratic, and harmful" to the city's informal traders, who rely heavily on the sector for their livelihoods.

Key Takeaways:

• The Zimbabwean government has banned the sale of second-hand clothing and cracked down on street vending in Harare, citing the need to restore order in the city's streets.
• The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has described the decision as "unilateral, undemocratic, and harmful" to the city's informal traders.
• The ban will affect thousands of residents who rely on the informal sector for their livelihoods, with limited formal employment opportunities available.
• CHRA has warned that many livelihoods are hanging in the balance and called for the government to address the root causes of poverty that drive people into informal business.
• Lawyer and law lecturer Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has declared the ban unconstitutional and legally baseless, citing Section 68 of the Constitution.
• The informal sector has been a lifeline for thousands in Harare, with many emerging formal businesses operating 24/7 in the CBD.
• CHRA has called for the City of Harare to conduct operations in line with Section 264 of the Constitution, which mandates devolution and community involvement in governance decisions.

Statistics:

• The informal sector accounts for a significant portion of the Zimbabwean economy, with many residents relying on vending to survive.
• Hotel and Lodging sales as a percent of GDP growth is a staggering over 20% and is second only to Mining and Quarrying, showing a high reliance on tourism.
• Zimbabwe's economy is highly informal, with most residents depending on vending to survive.

Sources:

• "Combined Harare Residents Association opposes the ban on second-hand clothing and street vending." CHRA statement, no date.
• Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, "Dear Honourable Ministers, as a matter of law, you have no power to ban trade or any other activity by press statement." X (formerly Twitter), no date.
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