Zimbabwe Vendors Face Two New Curfews As Government Sets 6PM And 8PM Deadlines

Zimbabwe Vendors Given Two Different Closing Times Under New Government Rules

Zimbabwean vendors now face two different trading cut-offs under new government operating hours announced on Thursday, 17 September 2026. Those trading in central business districts (CBDs) must stop by 6pm, while vendors in residential communities, including high-density suburbs, can operate until 8pm.

The new rules take immediate effect and apply to legally registered vendors operating from designated trading areas across all 92 local authorities.

The announcement was made in Harare by Tafadzwa Muguti, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

CBD Vendors Face 6PM Trading Deadline

Muguti said vending in CBDs would now be restricted to a 12-hour window, from 6am to 6pm.

He stressed that the 6pm deadline applies across the country rather than only to Harare.

“With immediate effect, vending within all central business districts is now limited between 6am to 6pm. That is vending within any business district across all 92 local authorities.”

Muguti added that vendors would not be allowed to continue trading in designated CBD spaces after the deadline.

“After 6pm, we don’t expect to see anyone vending within any business district.”

This means vendors who have legally allocated spaces in CBDs must still pack up by 6pm.

Residential Vendors Get Until 8PM

The second deadline applies to vendors operating in residential communities.

They will be permitted to trade from 6am until 8pm, giving them an additional two hours compared with CBD traders.

Muguti specifically said the restriction also covers high-density suburbs.

“Vending within residential communities will be allowed from 6am to 8pm. After 8pm, we don’t expect to see any vending within residential communities, that includes high-density suburbs.”

The government says the hours are linked to existing business licensing arrangements, with permits generally providing for trading until 8pm unless a licence states otherwise.

The latest announcement comes as authorities intensify efforts to formalise vending and move traders into designated spaces. Government has also launched a broader formalisation drive, with officials saying night vending remains prohibited because local authorities currently lack the infrastructure to support it.

Government Tightens Vending Rules Countrywide

The new hours form part of a wider push to regulate informal trading, with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works also reviewing local authority by-laws.

Muguti said 113 by-laws were currently being modified to align with the government’s Vision 2030 programme.

The government has separately said it is not seeking to eliminate vending, but wants trading to take place in organised and designated spaces. Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe said all 92 local authorities have formal vending spaces, although some remain underused.

For vendors, however, the immediate change is straightforward: 6pm is now the CBD deadline, while 8pm is the residential deadline.

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