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By Priscilla Mafa
Zvishavane Town Council has responded to a video circulating on social media showing a female vendor clinging to a municipal police vehicle during an enforcement operation, saying the incident is regrettable and that corrective measures are being taken against the driver involved.
In a public notice issued on 18 June 2026, the local authority said the incident occurred while municipal police officers were carrying out their mandate of enforcing council by-laws and maintaining order within the town.
According to the council, the woman, whose identity was not disclosed, allegedly attempted to obstruct municipal police officers from performing their duties by holding onto the moving vehicle.
“Zvishavane Town Council acknowledges a video doing rounds on social media whereby an unnamed female vendor is seen clinging onto a municipal police vehicle, in an attempt to block the municipal police officers to carry out their lawful duty of enforcing law and order within the Council area,” reads part of the statement.
The council expressed concern over the incident and indicated that internal action has already been initiated.
“As Council Management we have taken note of the incident with regret. Corrective remediation is being taken against the driver of the municipal vehicle,” the statement added.
The incident has generated widespread debate among residents and social media users, with some raising concerns about the manner in which municipal police conduct enforcement operations, while others have emphasized the need for vendors to comply with local regulations.
Zvishavane Town Council reiterated that vendors and hawkers must operate within the confines of the law and avoid selling goods, particularly cooked food, at undesignated locations.
“Vendors and hawkers are therefore urged to abide by the laws and regulations governing selling of wares, including cooking food at undesignated points which exposes our residents to diseases such as cholera,” the council said.
The local authority also called on vendors to remain cooperative during enforcement operations and avoid confrontational behaviour when approached by municipal police officers.
“Vendors should also desist from displaying rowdy behavior when they are apprehended by the municipal police,” the council stated.
Council officials further stressed that municipal police officers play a critical role in safeguarding public health, maintaining order and ensuring compliance with local by-laws.
“The Municipal Police is there for our safety and security and all well-meaning residents should support them in their course of duty,” reads the notice.
The viral video has since drawn attention to the challenges faced by both vendors seeking to earn a living and municipal authorities tasked with enforcing local regulations.
In a public notice issued on 18 June 2026, the local authority said the incident occurred while municipal police officers were carrying out their mandate of enforcing council by-laws and maintaining order within the town.
According to the council, the woman, whose identity was not disclosed, allegedly attempted to obstruct municipal police officers from performing their duties by holding onto the moving vehicle.
“Zvishavane Town Council acknowledges a video doing rounds on social media whereby an unnamed female vendor is seen clinging onto a municipal police vehicle, in an attempt to block the municipal police officers to carry out their lawful duty of enforcing law and order within the Council area,” reads part of the statement.
The council expressed concern over the incident and indicated that internal action has already been initiated.
“As Council Management we have taken note of the incident with regret. Corrective remediation is being taken against the driver of the municipal vehicle,” the statement added.
The incident has generated widespread debate among residents and social media users, with some raising concerns about the manner in which municipal police conduct enforcement operations, while others have emphasized the need for vendors to comply with local regulations.
Zvishavane Town Council reiterated that vendors and hawkers must operate within the confines of the law and avoid selling goods, particularly cooked food, at undesignated locations.
“Vendors and hawkers are therefore urged to abide by the laws and regulations governing selling of wares, including cooking food at undesignated points which exposes our residents to diseases such as cholera,” the council said.
The local authority also called on vendors to remain cooperative during enforcement operations and avoid confrontational behaviour when approached by municipal police officers.
“Vendors should also desist from displaying rowdy behavior when they are apprehended by the municipal police,” the council stated.
Council officials further stressed that municipal police officers play a critical role in safeguarding public health, maintaining order and ensuring compliance with local by-laws.
“The Municipal Police is there for our safety and security and all well-meaning residents should support them in their course of duty,” reads the notice.
The viral video has since drawn attention to the challenges faced by both vendors seeking to earn a living and municipal authorities tasked with enforcing local regulations.
Published
June 19, 2026 at 8:04 AM
