Zimbabwe Bans Second-Hand Clothing and Night Vending Amid Economic Clampdown.

Zimbabwe Bans Second-Hand Clothing and Night Vending Amid Economic Clampdown.

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As inflation continues to strain everyday life in Zimbabwe, authorities have enacted a new ban on the sale of second-hand clothing and street vending after sunset.

The move comes amid broader austerity policies aimed at restructuring the country’s fragile economy.

Government officials say the measure addresses public health and sanitation concerns, citing illegal dumping, urban congestion, and tax evasion.

They also argue that the policy will help formalize the informal sector and stimulate local textile manufacturing.

However, critics warn that the crackdown will disproportionately impact low-income communities who rely on night vending and affordable used garments—locally known as “salaula”—for both survival and income.

Activists and economic analysts fear the sudden enforcement could fuel unrest and deepen inequalities.

While authorities maintain the move is necessary to curb disease outbreaks linked to unhygienic conditions in open-air markets, many citizens say it strips them of dignity and vital livelihood options during already turbulent times.

The clash between public order and day-to-day survival intensifies—leaving Zimbabwe’s vulnerable population at a crossroads between compliance and resistance.