Story by Tichaona Kurewa
THE Government has called on local authorities to ensure their 2026 budgets are closely aligned with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), reinforcing efforts to enhance service delivery and accelerate progress toward Vision 2030.
The message was delivered by the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Albert Mavunga, during a tour of vending sites in Victoria Falls on Tuesday. The inspection forms part of a nationwide assessment of trading spaces following the directive against illegal vending activities.
“NDS2 and what local authorities are doing must speak to each other. We are pleased that the Victoria Falls local authority is already working in line with the pillars of NDS2. As you know, NDS2 is critical to achieving Vision 2030 and an upper-middle-income society by 2030. We encourage our local authorities to ensure their budgets speak to the pillars of NDS2, which is the national vision and the strategy guiding us towards our goals,” Honourable Mavunga said.
Officials from the City of Victoria Falls said efforts are underway to regulate vending and ensure traders operate within designated markets.
“We are grateful for the Deputy Minister’s visit. Traders appreciated the engagement and raised concerns, especially regarding competition from Zambian traders who conduct door-to-door sales outside designated markets. Night vending is illegal and often fuels illicit activities, and we will continue enforcing our by-laws,” City of Victoria Falls Housing Director, Mr Brian Nyamande noted.
As the country moves to implement NDS2, accountable local authorities remain central to driving community-level development and realising Vision 2030.
Honourable Mavunga is on a nationwide tour of local authorities, assessing vending sites to ensure compliance with government’s directive outlawing illegal vending.
The overall goal of the tour is to provide oversight and encourage councils to establish adequate spaces for vendors to operate from.
So far, the delegation has been to Gweru and Victoria Falls, with Mutare, Masvingo, Kwekwe, Bulawayo, Chinhoyi, and Beitbridge next in line.
