Chiwenga’s Intervention in Traders’ Dispute Sparks Cabinet Tensions

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s direct engagement in a protracted dispute involving informal traders has reportedly triggered friction within government ranks, revealing deeper issues around policy coherence and authority.

According to insider accounts, National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe was left angered after learning that informal trader groups had bypassed his ministry to lodge complaints directly with Chiwenga’s office.

Garwe is said to have accused the traders of deliberately undermining his ministry’s jurisdiction. However, sources suggest his reaction reflects broader frustrations among ministers over a growing pattern — where frustrated citizens and lobbyists sidestep ministries in favor of direct appeals to senior political leaders.

At the core of the issue are informal traders across urban areas, many of whom report ongoing harassment, forced evictions, and a lack of adequate trading infrastructure. With Garwe’s ministry responsible for housing and markets, many had expected solutions that never materialized.

“People are turning to the Vice President because they feel abandoned by the ministry,” said a representative of a prominent traders’ group. “His involvement brings hope that someone at the top is finally paying attention.”

Observers say the situation reflects a wider dysfunction in the government’s chain of command. Instead of resolving matters through ministerial departments, citizens increasingly pursue direct access to executive leadership for quicker results.

“This is a sign of institutional fatigue,” said political analyst Eldred Masunungure. “When ministries lose credibility, people seek alternative avenues — usually those with the most political weight. But this approach erodes the foundations of collective governance.”

Chiwenga’s intervention is being viewed by political analysts as more than just a response to public concerns — it’s seen as part of a broader effort to consolidate his influence across key sectors, including health, housing, and now informal trade.

This has reportedly unsettled some cabinet members who feel increasingly sidelined when the presidency or vice presidency appears to take over their responsibilities.

“The Vice President’s expanding footprint could be a sign of positioning ahead of the next leadership transition within ZANU-PF,” said one senior party source. “Cabinet ministers now face the dilemma of remaining loyal to their portfolios while navigating the political ambitions of their superiors.”

Zimbabwe’s informal sector accounts for over 60% of employment, according to the World Bank, making it a critical component of the nation’s economy — especially in urban areas. However, it faces significant challenges, including poor infrastructure, aggressive law enforcement, and policy inconsistencies.

For years, traders have called for access to properly serviced markets with basic amenities like water, sanitation, and safety. Despite this, many projects remain incomplete, hampered by underfunding and allegations of corruption, particularly in land use and allocations.

“The informal economy is central to urban survival,” said economist Prosper Chitambara. “It shouldn’t be treated as a nuisance. Mismanaging it threatens both livelihoods and social stability.”

This isn’t the first time informal sector groups have taken their concerns to the highest office. Under the late Robert Mugabe, similar efforts were common when ministries failed to deliver. While such interventions often provided short-term relief, critics argue they led to increased politicization of development and further weakened institutional accountability.

Analysts now warn that Chiwenga’s latest involvement could reignite this trend — where political visibility overshadows long-term policy reform.

“Quick political fixes don’t address structural failings in urban governance,” Chitambara added. “What’s needed is comprehensive reform, not temporary band-aids.”

Though the disagreement between Chiwenga and Garwe has remained behind closed doors, it has surfaced a broader power struggle and policy disarray. It has also brought the informal sector — often ignored in elite policy circles — into the center of political calculations.

With Zimbabwe’s economy still under strain, how the state chooses to engage with its vast informal economy could shape both the nation’s economic trajectory and the political dynamics within government.

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