Masvingo, Beitbridge, Insiza and Ruwa Crack Down on Vendors: What You Must Do Now

Four councils are getting strict with street vendors, illegal builders and owners of heavy trucks. Here are the dates and rules.

Councils in several towns have started clean-up drives. Vendors, traders and property owners are the main targets. If you sell on the roadside, build without approval or park a big truck at home, this may affect you.

Masvingo: started 28 September

Masvingo City Council began its National Clean-Up, Restoration, Order and Safety Programme on Monday, 28 September.

Council officials will visit homes, shops and other places. They will check for:

• Illegal markets and street vending
• Rubbish dumped in the wrong places
• Commuter buses loading or offloading in the wrong places
• Businesses run from backyards without approval, such as restaurants and garages
• Dangerous buildings and illegal building work

All vendors must be registered. They must sell only from approved market sites. In the town centre, vendors can trade from 6am to 6pm. In residential areas, they can trade from 6am to 8pm.

Building owners must also repair and repaint their buildings. The council will set the time limit.

Beitbridge: deadline 30 September

Beitbridge Rural District Council has told vendors and informal traders to leave places that are not approved for trading. They must go by 30 September 2026. This includes land along the main road and the railway line at Lutumba, Mazunga and Bubi business centres.

If you need a proper place to trade, you can register with the council’s Spatial Planning Department. The council says it will use enforcement agents to remove people who do not follow the order.

A second notice is about people who build without permits in areas near towns. It includes people living on land set aside for an airport at Lutumba and along the railway line. This order starts 30 days after it was published. People affected can appeal within one month of being served.

Insiza: deadline 2 October

Insiza Rural District Council has set 2 October 2026 as the deadline. It covers Filabusi, Shangani, Silalatshani and other centres.

By that date, people must stop illegal building work. Traders must also stop selling from places that are not approved, including land beside roads and railway lines.

If you need trading space, planning approval or a business licence, visit the right council department. The council says it will inspect premises and act against people who do not follow the rules.

Ruwa: fines up to US$190

Ruwa Local Board is now checking residential streets. It is targeting heavy trucks parked near homes.

In Springvale, two trucks were fined. One fine reached US$190. Another truck was clamped and made ready for towing because the driver could not be found.

Vehicles under three tonnes are allowed in residential areas. Some of the trucks targeted weigh nine to ten tonnes.

What you can do now

• Visit your council before the deadline.
• Ask how to register and which trading spaces are free.
• Ask which papers you need for a licence.
• Do not start building until you have approval.
• Keep copies of all notices and receipts.
• If you get an enforcement order, check the appeal period so you do not miss it.

Reporting based on original coverage by NewZiana, Mirror, Newsday and ZiFM Stereo.