“Eat at home, not the streets” Harare mayor Mafume tells residents

23By Nigel PfundeHARARE — Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has issued a stern warning against public dining and informal food preparation in the capital’s Central Business District (CBD), urging members of the public to maintain civic order and adhere to council by laws.Watch:https://expressmail.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/VID-20260802-WA0007.mp4​The Mayor’s remarks come amid rising concerns over public health, order and municipal enforcement in the capital’s busy commercial zone. Addressing members of the public in the CBD, Mafume cautioned citizens against eating in street spaces during working hours, emphasizing that the city center is reserved for business and public order rather than informal meals.​”Musadyira mutown, ibvayi madya kumba kwenyu,” Mayor Mafume said, instructing residents to refrain from eating on the streets of the city center. He urged workers to exercise discipline during the day, suggesting that citizens should fast while at work and consume their meals at home after working hours.​The local authority has faced increasing pressure to manage public cleanliness, street vending, and informal trade across the CBD.

Municipal officials noted that open consumption of food and unlicensed vending in public spaces create severe sanitation challenges and undermine efforts to maintain capital standards.​Residents and informal traders expressed mixed reactions to the Mayor’s directive. While some supported council efforts to keep the CBD clean and organized, others highlighted the economic hardships facing everyday workers who rely on affordable street food during long shifts in the city center.​Harare City Council confirmed that municipal police will step up patrols across the CBD to enforce city council bylaws and ensure order is maintained across public streets and thoroughfares.Jacobmafume HARARE — Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has issued a stern warning against public dining and informal food preparation in the capital’s Central Business District (CBD), urging members of the public to maintain civic order and adhere to council by laws. https://expressmail.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/VID-20260802-WA0007.mp4 ​The Mayor’s remarks come amid rising concerns over public health, order and municipal enforcement in the capital’s busy commercial zone.

He urged workers to exercise discipline during the day, suggesting that citizens should fast while at work and consume their meals at home after working hours. ​The local authority has faced increasing pressure to manage public cleanliness, street vending, and informal trade across the CBD. While some supported council efforts to keep the CBD clean and organized, others highlighted the economic hardships facing everyday workers who rely on affordable street food during long shifts in the city center.​Harare City Council confirmed that municipal police will step up patrols across the CBD to enforce city council bylaws and ensure order is maintained across public streets and thoroughfares.

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Nigel PfundeNigel Pfunde is a Zimbabwean journalist and news editor based in Harare. He is known for his work with Express Mail Zimbabwe and has also served as News Editor at Zim Morning Post. With a background in investigative and political reporting, Pfunde has covered a wide range of topics including fraud cases, government affairs, economic issues, and community outreach.

His writing reflects a strong commitment to accountability and public interest journalism. Nigel Pfunde is a Zimbabwean journalist and news editor based in Harare. previous postPUP leader backs Constitution Amendment, urges protest boycottnext post​Remains of Bedford murder victims return to Zim for burial previous postPUP leader backs Constitution Amendment, urges protest boycott PUP leader backs Constitution Amendment, urges protest boycott next post​Remains of Bedford murder victims return to Zim for burial

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