The Government has stepped up efforts to restore order and cleanliness in Harare through Operation Chenesa Harare, a joint clean-up campaign targeting illegal vending and trading in undesignated areas.
The campaign was officially launched on September 9 by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe in partnership with the Harare City Council.
The launch followed a Government deadline which gave vendors operating from unauthorised sites until September 9 to voluntarily move to designated trading areas.
Minister Garwe called on residents and vendors to support the campaign, saying; “Let’s work together and be part of this clean Harare.”
He said the Government recognised the importance of informal trading as a source of income but stressed that vendors should operate from areas approved by local authorities.
Garwe also encouraged vendors to organise themselves into groups and approach their local councillors for assistance in finding alternative places to trade.
Since its launch, the operation has seen municipal police officers and council teams deployed to different parts of Harare to clear illegal trading activities. The campaign has included the use of municipal trucks and other vehicles as authorities move through areas affected by illegal vending.
The operation has also reached the Central Business District, where illegal trading has been a major concern for authorities.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has called on municipal officers involved in the exercise to carry out their duties with care and due diligence amid concerns over how some informal traders are being treated.
The campaign comes as authorities seek to address blocked walkways, congestion, poor sanitation and other challenges associated with illegal trading in the city.
Operation Chenesa Harare forms part of Government’s wider efforts to improve the appearance and order of urban areas.
The Ministry has said the clean-up programme will eventually be extended to other cities, towns and urban settlements across the country.
For vendors affected by the operation, Government has encouraged them to work through their local councillors and move to designated trading areas rather than operating from unauthorised sites.
The campaign is expected to continue as Government and the Harare City Council work together to enforce municipal regulations while addressing the challenges surrounding informal trading.
