Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats (LEAD) President Linda Masarira
By Dickson Bandera
Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats (LEAD) leader Linda Tsungirirai Masarira has strongly condemned the government’s recent decision to ban street vending, night vending, and the sale of second-hand clothing, describing it as an attack on Zimbabwe’s urban poor.
In a hard-hitting statement issued Tuesday, Masarira said the ban announced by Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe on Monday was “anti-poor, regressive and detached from the realities of millions who rely on the informal sector to survive.”
“This is governance through command, not consultation,” said Masarira. “The informal economy constitutes over 77% of Zimbabwe’s economic activity, and Harare alone is home to over 200,000 vendors. These people are not criminals—they are simply trying to survive in an economy that has failed them.”
Masarira proposed the introduction of a night vending curfew as a more balanced solution to the concerns raised by authorities. LEAD recommends allowing vending activities until 9pm, regulated for health and safety, rather than a total ban that could plunge thousands into deeper poverty.
“Night vending is not a nuisance. It is a necessity for working-class Zimbabweans who only find time to shop after hours. Vendors provide affordable food, clothing, and essentials after sunset. To criminalize them is cruel and unjust,” she said.
She also criticised the immediate ban on the import and sale of second-hand clothing, which she described as “economic sabotage against vulnerable groups such as women, single mothers, and unemployed youth.”
Masarira challenged the government to suspend the ban and urgently conduct a socio-economic impact assessment. She called for a multi-stakeholder dialogue involving vendors’ associations, local authorities, ministries, and civil society to craft a sustainable and inclusive policy.
“Instead of unleashing chaos and hardship, the government must create designated, serviced, and affordable trading zones, register informal traders through an accessible system, and offer support for their gradual formalisation,” Masarira said.
She warned that policies that alienate the informal sector were “politically dangerous and socially irresponsible,” adding that the voice of vendors was “too big to be ignored.”
LEAD said it stands in “full and unapologetic solidarity” with Zimbabwe’s informal traders and vowed to continue advocating for pro-poor governance rooted in dignity, dialogue, and economic justice.
