Nine Vendors Remanded Over Alleged Stone-Throwing

By Staff Reporter | Harare

Nine street vendors have been remanded in custody after allegedly throwing stones at Harare municipal police officers during an operation to clear illegal vending sites in the city centre.

The accused Regis Karavhina, 43, Mduduzi Ndhlovu, 27, Blessed Chinhema, 34, Tinotenda Muhlupeki, 24, Smart Mafuku, 30, Tatenda Pfuwai, 30, John Mahlangu, 24, Tsungirirai Sanito, 19, and Ezra Besamu, 17, appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on Monday. They were remanded to Tuesday for a bail hearing.

The State alleges the incident occurred on September 26, 2026, when about 80 Harare municipal police officers arrived at the intersection of First Street and Speke Avenue at around 2.45 pm as part of Operation Chenesai Guta. The operation is aimed at removing vendors operating from undesignated areas and relocating them to designated trading sites.

According to the State, the municipal police officers were travelling in a convoy of three UD trucks when they encountered the vendors. The prosecution alleges that the accused incited other vendors to resist the enforcement operation, resulting in stones being thrown at the municipal police officers. One of the stones allegedly struck the fender of a Nissan Almera belonging to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), causing damage estimated at US$200.

Three of the accused were arrested at the scene and taken to Harare Central Police Station.

The State alleges that the remaining vendors subsequently regrouped and marched towards Harare City Council's Town House, where they reportedly shouted slogans and denounced the ongoing operation. Police were then called to the scene and arrested the other accused persons.

The arrests come as authorities continue efforts to regulate street vending in central Harare, with the city council seeking to move informal traders from pavements and other undesignated spaces. The enforcement campaign has also generated resistance from some vendors who depend on street trading for their livelihoods.

The court is expected to deal with the accused persons' bail applications on Tuesday. The allegations against the nine accused have not been tested in court, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Harare vendors arrested