Harare City Council intends to intensify raids on illegal street traders in 2020 in a bid to ensure smooth flow of traffic as well as keeping the streets clean.
Council acting spokesperson Innocent Ruwende said the blitz was initially scheduled to take place before the beginning of the festive season but was delayed due to a shortage of fuel. He said:
We are carrying out periodic raids with the police on a low scale owing to fuel challenges being experienced nationwide.
This is an on-going exercise, so we will be carrying out further raids because they are obstructing the smooth flow of traffic and leaving loads of garbage in the streets.
Illegal food vendors flood the streets usually at dusk, blocking pavements and leaving litter scattered everywhere.
Some sell fruits such as wild loquats (mazhanje) from the back of their trucks, while others sell mangoes, roasted fresh mealies, vegetables and tomatoes.