The Bulawayo City Council has approved plans to relocate informal traders operating at the junction of 12th Avenue and Lobengula Street — commonly known as the “Zesa site” to the Lobengula Street Mall within the central business district.
According to a report presented by the town, lands and planning department on June 10, 2026, the relocation targets micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) selling fruits, vegetables, new clothing and second-hand apparel.
The traders were originally displaced following the temporary closure of the Egodini terminus redevelopment project, which resulted in the relocation of informal business activities to various sites around the city centre.
One temporary site was established along 12th Avenue near Fortwell, between Lobengula Street and Herbert Chitepo Street, resulting in a portion of the road being closed.
However, council resolved in 2025 that the affected section should be reopened to improve traffic movement.
“The road had to be re-opened for a smooth traffic flow and hence the need arose to find an alternative site for traders,” the report read.
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Council proposed constructing alternative vending bays at Lobengula Street Mall with the new spaces. identified from bay number 807 to 953, catering for both fruit and vegetable traders and clothing vendors.
The move forms part of broader efforts to reorganise informal trading operations while balancing infrastructure rehabilitation, traffic management and economic activity.
In a separate decision, council resolved to temporarily relocate informal traders operating along Lobengula Street pavements to pave the way for ongoing road rehabilitation and stormwater drainage construction.
The road, heavily used by commuter omnibuses servicing Cowdray Park, Entumbane, Njube, Nguboyenja and Emakhandeni, had developed severe potholes.
Rehabilitation works, which began in March 2025, include pothole patching, pavement reconstruction, overlays and stormwater drainage upgrades.
Although initially expected to take 30 weeks, unforeseen sewer and water infrastructure complications have delayed completion.
Council resolved that traders be temporarily moved onto shop pavements between 4th Avenue and Lobengula Street, provided access to business entrances remained unobstructed.
Meanwhile, council recommended approving 14 additional trading bays for persons living with disabilities along 6th Avenue Extension, adjacent to OK Zimbabwe supermarket.
The bays are intended for licensed members of the National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe who were left behind during the 2021 Egodini relocation exercise.
The latest council decisions come amid continuing tensions between local authorities and informal traders over vending spaces, relocations and infrastructure development projects in Bulawayo’s central business district.