Vendors turn Bulawayo pavements into open-air toilets, bedrooms

BULAWAYO’S city centre is slowly turning into a public health hazard, as scores of illegal vendors — many of them from outside the city have converted pavements into makeshift bedrooms and ablution areas, creating chaotic and unsanitary conditions.

A Sunday News crew witnessed shocking scenes last Thursday along Jason Moyo Street between 5th and 6th avenues, the heart of the city’s fresh produce market, where at least 95 vendors were seen sleeping on the pavements, just metres from trading bays that now double up as homes, toilets and kitchens.

What was once a bustling commercial zone is now grappling with the stench of human waste, water scarcity and a looming risk of disease outbreak.

Some vendors, citing a lack of accommodation, admitted they live and sleep on the streets with nowhere else to go. Several of them did not know about Khami Clinic, the city’s designated centre for medical clearance and hygiene training for fruit and vegetable sellers, a basic requirement to legally sell perishable goods.

“I have a stall here where I sell various vegetables and sometimes fruits. I am renting it just like everyone you see sleeping here. We have no accommodation here in Bulawayo, hence the pavement has become our bedroom, my husband sometimes comes too,” said a female vendor from Gokwe in the Midlands Province who declined to be named.

Another vendor from Masvingo shared a similar story.

“I got this vending bay through contacts. I’m not from Bulawayo and have no accommodation. We have no choice,” said the vendor. The health implications are dire.

A security guard manning nearby premises said a tree near the Jason Moyo signage has withered completely as a direct result of being used repeatedly as a toilet.

“Both men and women relieve themselves here. That manhole is also used as a toilet. The smell is bad,” said the security guard.

Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart confirmed the issue and called for urgent intervention by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), citing the lack of arresting powers by municipal police.

“We are aware of this worrying issue, and it’s even worsening. The problem that we face is that our municipal police do not have arresting powers and we entirely rely on ZRP to enforce the law,” he said.

Clr Coltart claimed the chaos is being fuelled by politically connected space barons. He warned that formal businesses are suffering, with many unable to pay rates or access their shops due to congestion and lawlessness.

The mayor called on the city’s Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube to engage the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube for a co-ordinated response.

The Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA), which represents informal traders, acknowledged the gravity of the situation.

BVTA executive director Mr Michael Ndiweni said toilet facilities in the marketplace are grossly inadequate and overwhelmed by the growing number of illegal vendors.

He said some vendors now relieve themselves in sanitary lanes, which poses an alarming health risk.

“The space barons are charging between US$3 per day and up to US$250 per month, but this money is not going to council so that it can provide services such as refuse collection and other service requirements,” said Mr Ndiweni.

He said the lawlessness has created a safe haven for criminal activities, including the selling of drugs and illicit substances, under the protection of rogue middlemen.

“The illegality has also given rise to the selling of drugs and other illicit substances because these people feel like they are protected and can do as they please in that place,” said Mr Ndiweni.

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) spokesperson Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said only 2 331 vendors are officially registered, yet the city has close to 10 000 vending stalls, most of which are now occupied by unregistered traders.

She said to secure a vending licence, one must present a national ID, fingerprint clearance, two passport-size photos, and proof of residence.

Vendors dealing in fruits and vegetables must also undergo pre-examination for contagious diseases and food handling training at Khami Clinic.

“There are additional requirements for traders selling fruits and vegetables, where they have to present themselves at Khami Clinic for pre-examination for contagious diseases. They are also given lessons on how to handle such food for the public,” said Mrs Mpofu. Sunday News