Zimbabwe: Harare Clean-Up Not a War On Vendors or Homeowners - Garwe

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe has rejected claims that the government's planned clean-up operation in Harare is targeting vendors, informal traders or homeowners.

Garwe said the exercise was aimed at restoring order in the capital's Central Business District (CBD), which he described as being in a state that was incompatible with the country's ambitions of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

"This situation is no longer acceptable and it is no longer business as usual.What is now obtained in the capital is in direct contrast to our aspirations of becoming an upper-middle-income society by 2030 and is in direct contrast to the National Development Strategy 2," he said.

His comments come amid growing concern over the government's planned clean-up operation and messages circulating on social media claiming that houses would be demolished on 9 September.