By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – The Government’s ongoing Operation Chenesa has so far smashed 35 365 illegal businesses across the country, as authorities step up efforts to enforce municipal regulations and restore order in urban centres.
The clean-up campaign has resulted in 1 446 arrests, while 16 529 illegal structures have been demolished and removed from areas where they were unlawfully erected.
Authorities have also collected US$118 553 and R1 000 in fines from operators found violating local authority regulations, underscoring the large extent of the enforcement exercise being conducted across the country’s 92 local authorities.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare on Thursday, Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe said Government was determined to sustain the operation long-term, while simultaneously ensuring that informal traders were provided with appropriate facilities to conduct their businesses.
He said the next phase of the operation will prioritise the development and rehabilitation of designated vending spaces, with the intention of providing organised trading facilities across all 2 500 wards.
“Operation Chenesa has been very successful and we are now shifting our focus towards providing proper trading infrastructure for informal traders. Our goal is to provide proper vending sites in all the 2 500 wards in the country. The existing, abandoned markets will be face-lifted as a matter of urgency to ensure vendors operate from properly designated and hygienic trading spaces and we have directed all local authorities to establish designated vending zones equipped with adequate water supplies and sanitary facilities,” Garwe said.
The Minister said the campaign was being rolled out in all 92 local authorities through the application of existing laws and regulations covering urban development, public health and municipal governance.
He said the exercise was aimed at addressing illegal commercial activities and restoring the integrity of public spaces, dismissing claims that residential properties were among its targets.
“Contrary to some reports, this operation is not targeting homes. It is only targeting illegal businesses and activities with the intention of modernising our cities. That is an absolute, irreversible Ministry mandate, as that speaks to the attainment of an upper middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.
Garwe further disclosed that the campaign had broadened its scope to include efforts to curb the distribution of illicit drugs and other prohibited substances.
Municipal police have reportedly confiscated hundreds of cartons of illegal drugs and substances, as well as substantial quantities of prescription-only medicines, including steroids.
He said bringing commercial activities and public spaces under proper management would help improve hygiene standards, prevent the abuse of public infrastructure and create conditions that encourage investment and lawful business operations.
Operation Chenesa was launched in September 2026 under the National Clean-Up, Restoration, Order and Safety Programme, which seeks to address illegal trading, unregulated commercial activities and unauthorised structures while improving safety and cleanliness in urban areas.
Garwe said the Government would maintain pressure on offenders while working with local authorities to expand access to properly equipped vending facilities and rehabilitate disused markets, ensuring that the drive to restore urban order is accompanied by sustainable trading alternatives.
New Ziana
