Street vendors are not the problem, but outdated and archaic vendors are the issue

The presence of street vendors and the challenges posed by outdated bylaws in Zimbabwe have been persistent issues that require a nuanced understanding and comprehensive approach to address effectively.

Street vending serves as a significant component of the informal economy in Zimbabwe, offering livelihood opportunities to many individuals who face limited formal employment options.

However, the existence of outdated bylaws that govern street vending practices often leads to conflicts and complexities in urban areas, impacting the vendors, local authorities, and the broader community.

One of the central issues surrounding street vending in Zimbabwe is the legal ambiguity stemming from outdated bylaws.

These regulations may lack clear definitions of where and when street vending is permissible, leading to inconsistent enforcement and creating challenges for vendors in understanding and complying with the rules.

As a result, street vendors often face harassment, fines, and confiscation of their goods by law enforcement agencies, contributing to a cycle of uncertainty and vulnerability in their livelihoods.

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The inadequate infrastructure in areas where street vending occurs further compounds the challenges faced by vendors and the community at large.

The lack of designated vending sites, waste management facilities, and sanitation services can result in congestion, unsanitary conditions, and safety hazards.

Outdated bylaws may not adequately address the need for infrastructure improvements, exacerbating the negative impact of street vending on urban environments and public health.

Economically, street vendors play a crucial role in providing essential goods and services to local communities in Zimbabwe.

However, the presence of outdated bylaws that restrict or criminalize street vending can have adverse effects on vendors' livelihoods and the broader economy. Such regulations can lead to income losses for vendors, reduced access to affordable goods for consumers, and a stifling of economic activity in areas where street vending is prevalent.

Moreover, from a social perspective, street vending often involves vulnerable populations, including women, youth, and migrants, who rely on this form of informal employment for their sustenance.

Outdated bylaws that fail to consider the socio-economic realities of vendors can deepen existing social inequalities and marginalize already disadvantaged groups, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exclusion.

Challenges faced by street vendors in Zimbabwe:

1. Harassment and extortion: Street vendors in Zimbabwe often face harassment and extortion from law enforcement officials, municipal authorities, and other individuals seeking bribes in exchange for allowing them to operate. This constant threat of harassment not only creates a hostile operating environment but also adds to the financial burden of vendors, reducing their profitability and sustainability.
2. Lack of legal recognition and protection: Street vendors operate in a legal grey area in Zimbabwe, with many vendors lacking formal recognition or protection under the law. This leaves them vulnerable to arbitrary eviction, confiscation of goods, and other forms of harassment without legal recourse. The absence of clear regulations and support mechanisms further exacerbates their vulnerabilities.
3. Limited access to basic services: Street vendors in Zimbabwe often lack access to basic services such as sanitation facilities, clean water, and waste disposal. The inadequate provision of these essential services not only affects the well-being of vendors but also poses health risks to the broader community. Improving access to these services is crucial for promoting public health and ensuring a conducive working environment for vendors.
4. Competition and overcrowding: Street vending is a prevalent form of informal employment in Zimbabwe, leading to intense competition and overcrowding in popular vending areas. The high concentration of vendors in specific locations can make it challenging for individual vendors to attract customers and generate sufficient income. Diversifying vending locations and implementing zoning regulations may help alleviate for promoting public health and ensuring a conducive working environment for vendors.
5. Competition and overcrowding: Street vending is a prevalent form of informal employment in Zimbabwe, leading to intense competition and overcrowding in popular vending areas. The high concentration of vendors in specific locations can make it challenging for individual vendors to attract customers and generate sufficient income. Diversifying vending locations and implementing zoning regulations may help alleviate overcrowding and distribute opportunities more equitably among vendors.
6. Lack of access to credit and financial services: Street vendors in Zimbabwe often operate on a cash-only basis and have limited access to formal banking services, credit, and financial assistance. This lack of financial inclusion constrains their ability to expand their businesses, invest in improvements, or cope with unforeseen financial setbacks. Facilitating access to microfinance, financial literacy programs, and savings mechanisms can enhance the financial resilience of street vendors.
7. Vulnerability to economic shocks: Street vendors are particularly vulnerable to economic shocks such as inflation, currency devaluation, and fluctuations in consumer purchasing power. These external factors can significantly impact the profitability of vendors' businesses and their ability to sustain a livelihood. Strengthening social safety nets, providing training in business resilience, and fostering diversification strategies can help street vendors to weather economic uncertainties.
8. Limited access to markets: Street vendors in Zimbabwe often face challenges in accessing formal markets to source their goods or sell their products. Restricted market access limits vendors' ability to diversify their product offerings, reach a broader customer base, and enhance their competitiveness. Creating linkages with formal markets, establishing vending zones, and improving infrastructure for transportation and logistics can facilitate market integration for street vendors.

Addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by street vendors in Zimbabwe requires a holistic approach that combines legal reforms, social protection measures, infrastructure development, and stakeholder engagement.

This approach should involve a thorough review of existing regulations, active engagement with vendors and community stakeholders, and the development of responsive policies that balance the needs of vendors with those of the wider society.

Sustainable solutions may include formalizing street vending through designated zones, improving infrastructure to enhance the working conditions of vendors, and providing support for economic empowerment initiatives among street vendors.

 Collaborative efforts between government authorities, civil society organisations, vendors' associations, and the private sector are essential to create an enabling environment for sustainable street vending and promote the economic empowerment of vendors in Zimbabwe.

By fostering dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding between vendors, local authorities, and communities, Zimbabwe can work towards creating a more conducive environment for street vendors to operate sustainably while also promoting economic growth, social inclusion, and urban development.

*Samuel Wadzai is the executive director of Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic  Transformation (Viset).

These weekly articles are coordinated by Lovemore Kadenge, an independent consultant, managing consultant of Zawale Consultants (Private) Limited, past president of the Zimbabwe Economics Society and past president of the Chartered Governance & Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe. Email- kadenge.zes@gmail.com or mobile No. +263 772 382 52