By Edward Makuzva
Zimbabwe stands at a perilous crossroads, caught between the crushing weight of political repression and the relentless grip of economic despair.
National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe, (NAVUZ), Chairperson, Sten Zvorwadza, captures this grim reality with a piercing metaphor: “a nation suffocating between two horns.” This vivid image encapsulates the struggle of millions trapped in a system that offers no escape — where neither the promises of reform nor the remnants of the past provide relief. As citizens navigate a landscape of broken dreams and rising tensions, the question looms large.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in the capital, Zvorwadza laid bare the anguish and frustration shared by Zimbabwe’s silent majority — those who fuel the real economy but are often ignored in national discourse.
“The collective voice of millions of informal traders, street vendors, cross-border hustlers, and micro-entrepreneurs — Zimbabweans who form the backbone of this country’s real economy — has spoken,” he said. “And yet, three weeks later, that voice has been met with nothing but silence”, Zvorwadza explained.
His words echoed like a plea and a warning. These are the people who survive not by privilege or political connection, but by grit, hustle, and resilience. They are the ones who keep food on the tables, children in schools, and urban centers alive with commerce — even when the formal economy falters. And yet, they remain marginalized, criminalized, and voiceless in policy decisions that affect their daily survival.
Zvorwadza’s remarks highlight a deep national contradiction: the people who carry Zimbabwe forward are the very ones suffocating under its broken systems. Their call for dialogue, recognition, and inclusive economic reform has not only been ignored — it has been buried under indifference.
” Informal workers in Zimbabwe are trapped between two sharp and deadly borns – the 25% IMTT levy, and daily ZRP and Municipal police corruption.
On one side, the 25% Intermediated Money Transfer Tax is bleeding every transaction dry. It takes from vendors whether they profit or not, it punishes women who buy tomatoes in bulk at dawn. It taxes micro-businesses trying to restock, regroup, and reinvest. This tax is not targeted it is a blanket punishment for being poor and ambitious.
Certainly. Here’s an expanded and more polished version of the passage, preserving the emotional weight and urgency of the original while enhancing clarity and structure:
Informal Workers in Zimbabwe: Caught Between Taxation and Corruption
“Informal workers in Zimbabwe are trapped between two sharp and deadly horns — the crushing 2% Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT) and the relentless harassment by elements within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Municipal police forces.
“On one side, the IMTT is draining every cent from the lifeblood of the informal economy. At 2%, it is not just a tax — it is a hemorrhage. It siphons money from every transaction, regardless of profit or loss. It punishes women who wake before dawn to buy tomatoes in bulk, hoping to make a modest profit. It penalizes micro-businesses trying to restock, regroup, and reinvest. This tax is indiscriminate — a blanket punishment for being poor and daring to be ambitious.
“On the other side lies an equally vicious threat: the corruption deeply embedded in law enforcement. Rogue elements within the ZRP and Municipal police have turned the streets into hunting grounds. By day, some vendors are chased and fined without clear legal basis. By night, under the cover of darkness, others are preyed upon. Bribes are extorted. Threats are issued. Goods are confiscated with no recourse. Dignity is trampled. The very people tasked with upholding law and order are, in some cases, the perpetrators of systemic abuse and economic sabotage”, Said Zvorwadza.
Let the nation understand this:
“We are taxed by the state evetyday and extorted by rogue ZRP officers by night. This is not just a crisis of policy — it is a crisis of conscience. An urgent solution is needed,” said NAVUZ chairperson Zvorwadza.
Zimbabwe’s informal sector is not merely surviving — it is striving to power the national economy. Yet it remains criminalized, over-taxed, and abused. Without immediate reform, not only will lives continue to be devastated, but the country’s social fabric and economic resilience will unravel further.
Zvorwadza Returns, Warns of Vendor Protests
Zvorwadza, has made a dramatic return to the public stage, warning of possible vendor-led protests in response to what he describes as continued harassment and marginalization of informal traders in Harare’s Central Business District (CBD).
Zvorwadza, known for his vocal advocacy for the rights of street vendors and informal traders, stated that he is prepared to mobilize peaceful demonstrations if authorities continue what he calls “unjustified crackdowns” on vendors trying to earn an honest living.
“We have been silent for too long, but the situation has not improved for our people. Vendors are being treated like criminals. If this government continues to treat the poor with disdain, we will not hesitate to take to the streets—peacefully but firmly,” said Zvorwadza.
He accused city officials and law enforcement agents of engaging in unlawful raids, confiscating goods without due process, and failing to provide alternative, legal vending spaces despite repeated promises from the authorities.
“We are not against order; we are against selective enforcement and the abuse of power. The informal sector is not a threat to development—it is a vital part of our economy, especially in these tough times,” he added.
Zvorwadza’s re-emergence comes at a time when tensions are mounting in the capital, as thousands of vendors face displacement amid ongoing efforts to “restore order” in the city. He urged the government to adopt a consultative and humane approach, warning that exclusionary policies risk triggering widespread discontent.
NAVUZ is now calling for urgent dialogue between vendors, the City of Harare, and central government authorities to find sustainable solutions that protect livelihoods while maintaining urban order.
Meanwhile, Zvorwadza’s return signals a potential resurgence of grassroots activism in the informal economy space, and his warning suggests that vendors may be prepared to push back more aggressively if their grievances remain unaddressed.