Government Issues Vendor Ultimatum Amid Backlash

Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana addressed the September 9 deadline for vendors operating from undesignated sites, warning of enforcement action. The ultimatum targets informal traders in Harare and other urban areas. The crackdown follows months of disputes between city councils and vendors, who argue the government has failed to provide designated trading spaces. Previous evictions have sparked protests and legal challenges. The deadline risks escalating tensions between the state and the informal sector, which employs millions, as authorities prioritize order over livelihoods.