Chiredzi Vendors Left Destitute After Council Demolishes Market Stalls Without Notice

Vendors in Chiredzi have been left devastated after the local council demolished their vending stalls “misika” on June 19, 2025. The demolitions come at a time when Mr Mnangagwa's government is pursuing constitutional amendments that could delay elections by an additional two years, extending them to 2030. Vendors featured in this video expressed grief, frustration and hopelessness, blaming the council for destroying their source of income without prior notice. One woman said she had used the proceeds from her business to educate her children. She revealed that her eldest daughter is completing her undergraduate studies, while her younger daughter is preparing to begin university. Speaking out of desperation, she emotionally questioned whether the government's actions were effectively telling her daughters to resort to prostitution in order to survive. Such actions have been witnessed across the country, where authorities have allowed citizens to establish homes, markets and informal businesses near bus termini and transport ranks as a means of earning a living only to wakeup destroying them calling them “illegal”. This is taking place in a country where youth unemployment exceeds 90 percent, yet the government has failed to provide a sustainable solution to the crisis. Chiredzi Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Makumire, criticized the demolitions, stating that he opposes "decisions that are unreasonable, insensitive, and made without following proper legal and policy procedures." Makumire further argued that the government contradicted itself by destroying the markets while simultaneously promising to construct better facilities. He noted that authorities have already struggled to improve service delivery, which remains below acceptable standards. He questioned the rationale behind demolishing the structures without first providing a viable alternative for affected vendors. "My question is simple: if there are no resources to provide an alternative, why demolish their makeshift structures and evict them in the first place? Development should improve people's livelihoods, not destroy them without a viable plan," he said. Genuine development should uplift communities and expand economic opportunities rather than displace vulnerable citizens who depend on informal trading for their survival. Thanks for Joining us for our Zimbabwe Main News Bulletin. Please support our Citizen Journalists, buy them a ko-fi on: https://ko-fi.com/changeradio30678#ch... 📧 Contact us via Email: [email protected] Visit us on Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6f... 🌐 Visit our Website: www.changeradiozimbabwe.com 🕹️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@changeradiozw... 📘 Facebook: ChangeRadioZimbabwe   / changeradiozimbabwe   📸 Instagram: @changeradiozw   / changeradiozw   🐦 X (Twitter): @ChangeRadioZW https://x.com/ChangeRadioZW Subscribe using this link:    / @crz_zw