The Effects Of Municipal By-Laws And The Survival Strategies Of Street Vendors In Harare Central Business District, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

Street vending is a common practice the world over. In cities the streets are swamped with vendors selling various wares and Zimbabwe is no exception. However, in recent years the proliferation of street vending in Zimbabwe, particularly in Harare Central Business District (CBD) has been an eyesore and several questions have been raised as to what is really behind such proliferation and what tactics are these vendors employing to remain in the streets despite efforts by the council to remove them from the streets. This study specifically sought to answer questions relating to the political, social and economic situation, under currencies and tactics that have resulted to the proliferation of street vending in Harare CBD. In investigating this research problem, the study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The population of this study was 50, comprising of selected street vendors, selected Harare City Council officials, vendor association representatives and citizens. The main tools for the collection of primary data were interviews, direct observation and questionnaires and for secondary research, the study employed literature review by analysing the content of published studies. The major findings established that the proliferation of street vending in Harare CBD had serious implications to the country’s Municipal by-law on city vending. The study recommends that government, at both national and local level should identify major risk indicators associated with the proliferation of street vending, formulate long-term policies aimed at addressing the macro-factors behind the proliferation of street vending, come up with appropriate response mechanism strategies to deal with such and design a supportive policy framework that promotes an environment for earning livelihoods through street vending.