Tafadzwa Muguti, the Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the Office of the President and Cabinet has reaffirmed that the importation and sale of second-hand clothing remain banned in Zimbabwe, reported Chronicle.
The government has directed all provinces to burn confiscated smuggled consignments to protect local producers.
The ban on second-hand clothing imports was first implemented in 2015, following intense lobbying by industry and commerce leaders.
Despite the ban, the sale of second-hand clothing (amabhele/mabhero) has gained popularity in recent years, both in Zimbabwe and across the region, due to enforcement challenges and rampant smuggling.
Second-hand clothes have become a source of livelihood for thousands of people.
Established textile, leather, and clothing factories have suffered significant losses due to cheap second-hand products, citing unfair competition.
These businesses have to meet statutory obligations, salaries, rentals, and utilities, which affect their final product pricing.
Consequently, established businesses continue to call upon the government to implement wider protectionist policies to safeguard existing investments and preserve jobs.
Muguti was in Bulawayo on Thursday, where he toured the giant clothing factory, Carousel Manufacturing, a subsidiary of the listed Edgars Stores Group.
He reiterated that the ban on second-hand products remains in place and that confiscated items must be incinerated at government hospitals across the provinces.
Said Muguti:
<blockquote>
This is an industry that has been affected by second-hand clothes. As Government we have banned the sale of second-hand clothing.
My office has directed all provinces to confiscate second-hand clothing immediately. We have been doing that since December and we are now burning them at the provincial hospitals.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

The government in Zimbabwe is getting rid of second-hand clothes by burning them because they hurt local businesses. The sale of second-hand clothes is banned in Zimbabwe but still happens a lot. The ban started in 2015 because it was bad for local clothing factories. Many people depend on selling second-hand clothes for a living. The government is trying to protect local businesses and jobs by enforcing the ban and destroying confiscated second-hand clothes. Muguti, a government official, visited a clothing factory to show support for the ban on second-hand clothing.

Government Vows To Confiscate And Burn Second-Hand Clothing

Police have confirmed the arrest of three suspects involved in smuggling second-hand clothes and the death of a fourth man following a shootout in Mutare on Wednesday morning.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 17, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi announced the arrests of Phillimon Matiyashe (32), Tawanda Chafanza (33), and Owen Wenjere (29), as well as the death of Admire Tawanda Sibanda (40) during a shootout with police officers on October 16, 2024, at approximately 5:30 AM. Said Commissioner Nyathi:
<blockquote>
A Police crack team on an anti-smuggling operation acted on received information and intercepted a MAN rigid truck, registration number AFG 7429 along Vumba Road, after Prince of Wales turn off, Mutare.
The truck was loaded with smuggled second-hand clothes and was being escorted by two vehicles, an unregistered silver Toyota Runx and a silver Toyota Mark X, registration number, AFY 1037 driven by the Admire Tawanda Sibanda.
The team flagged down the truck, but the driver sped off.
Another Toyota Runux vehicle, registration number AFH 8368 blocked the way and subsequently, Admire Tawanda Sibanda pulled out a pistol and fired towards the Police resulting in a shootout.
Admire Tawanda Sibanda was shot on the neck and succumbed to the injuries on the way to the hospital.
The Police Mahindra vehicle was shot resulting in two bullet holes on the front left fender.
Phillimon Matiyashe, Tawanda Chafanza and Owen Wenjere were later arrested by the Police after a speed chase.
</blockquote>
Following the chase and subsequent arrests, police recovered 104 bales of second-hand shoes and 138 bales of second-hand clothes from the truck. Added Commissioner Nyathi:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauds the public for providing valuable information and warns smuggling syndicates against engaging in violent confrontations with police officers. Such actions will be met with appropriate response for the law to take its course.
</blockquote>
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Three men were caught smuggling second-hand clothes, and one man was killed in a shootout with the police. The police stopped a truck filled with smuggled clothes, and the driver tried to escape. Another man in a car blocked the way and shot at the police. He was shot and died. The police arrested the other three men after a chase and found lots of smuggled shoes and clothes. The police warn other smugglers not to fight back or they will face consequences.

Three Smugglers Arrested, One Killed In Shootout - ZRP

Kudzisai Chiweshe (54), from Marondera, was recently arraigned before the Mutare Magistrate’s Court on charges of contravening the Customs and Excise Act after she attempted to smuggle bales of second-hand clothes (mabhero) into the country.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on 19 March 2024, members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) stationed at Forbes Border Post received a tip-off that there was a Trip Trans bus carrying bales of second-hand clothes.
The Police reacted to the tip-off, stopped the bus and conducted a thorough search. Chiweshe who was a passenger in the bus was found in possession of two bales of second-hand clothing weighing 45kg each.
She failed to account for the clothing leading to her arrest and subsequent court appearance for contravening the Customs and Excise Act.
Chiweshe was sentenced to a fine of US$200 or 90 days imprisonment in default of payment.
The bales were forfeited to the State and handed over to ZIMRA for further management in terms of the Customs and Excise Act.
Zimbabwe banned the importation of second-hand clothes in 2015 to protect the local textile industry and encourage value addition.
However, cities and towns across the country are flooded with them showing that corruption is rampant at the country’s porous borders.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Marondera Woman Fined US$200 For Smuggling "Mabhero"

Zimbabwean fashion designer and entrepreneur Joyce Chimanye has urged the government to enforce the ban on the importation of second-hand clothes (mabhero) to protect Zimbabwe’s struggling textile industry.
Chimanye said the influx of cheap imports, including second-hand clothes is killing the country’s textile companies.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/news/article/200014681/enforce-ban-on-second-hand-clothes">Speaking to Alpha Media Holdings chairperson Trevor Ncube</a> on the platform “In Conversation with Trevor”, Chimanye said:
<blockquote>
I suppose this is what our government really needs to seriously look into.
To look at what fashion is contributing, the figures it is contributing to the global GDP.
Who are the brands that are manufacturing? Where is manufacturing being done?
And then look at how they can protect our industry in terms of second-hand clothing.
I have just done training with ZimTrade, in partnership with an expert from Germany, and she was once into garment manufacturing and she is now into training.
You find that she was sharing the fact that she was in Rwanda a few months ago and Rwanda banned the importation and sale of second-hand clothing in their country.
I think it is really up to governments to look into what areas the people can benefit in terms of job creation and make a deliberate effort to actually ban (second-hand clothes).
I know they have banned it, there is an SI (statutory instrument) that was put out some years ago, but the policing, there is no policing because it is happening.
You find that, for example, in certain countries, there are certain things that import duties on those things are heavy in order to protect the local industry.
When you look at the case of Bangladesh for example, the Bangladeshi government came up with the policy, I think it was in the 1970s, and they decided to actually slowly reduce imports and start producing.
And at some point, Bangladesh was the second highest exporter and even exporting so much to the USA because of a policy that their government had put in place to actually protect the industry.
I think a conversation needs to be held between the government and the private sector, and even young people to say what is our future in terms of garment manufacturing in Zimbabwe.
How are we going to secure jobs for our young people in this industry? And then for people to actually execute that plan.
</blockquote>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lVYwEBPY9GY?feature=oembed" title="Joyce Chimanye, Zimbabwe Fashion Designer At Zuvva In Conversation With Trevor" width="640"></iframe></div>

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Fashion Designer Joyce Chimanye Urges Govt To Enforce Ban On "Mabhero"

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has adopted a protocol to ban trade in second-hand clothes (mabhero) across the continent. The move aims to promote value-addition and industrialization in the textile industry.
During the Council of Ministers’ meeting held under the theme “The Role of the Private Sector in the Implementation of the AfCFTA: Own and Drive AfCFTA,” discussions were held on various issues, including rules of origin on textiles and clothing, estimated tariff revenue losses, and allocation of adjustment facility. Proposals were also made to front-load liberalization of trade in basic agricultural products. AfCFTA secretary-general, Mr. Wamkele Mene, stated that the decision to ban trade in second-hand clothes is a significant step in promoting industrialization and value-addition in Africa. He said:
<blockquote>
The decision of the Council of Ministers is a strong message that our single market will not be used as a dumping ground for used clothes coming from outside Africa.
</blockquote>
He added that the move would significantly protect the African textile industry and promote investment.
According to Zimbabwe Textile Manufacturers’ Association chairperson, Mr. Admire Masenda, the protocol banning trade in second-hand clothes would revive the textile industry across the continent. Mr. Masenda stated that second-hand clothes have adversely affected the industry, and reviving it would create better job opportunities for citizens who can, in turn, buy new clothes. He cited a study that shows the UK alone dumps about 14 million tonnes of clothes in Africa per year, leading to a loss of approximately 200,000 jobs across the continent.
In 2015, Zimbabwe banned the importation of second-hand clothes to protect the local textile industry and promote value addition. However, due to an outcry from vendors’ associations, restrictions were later eased. While the ban has been supported by the industry, informal vendors argue that it would hurt their livelihoods.
Approximately 95% of textiles in Zimbabwe are imported, and the country exports around 85% of cotton lint due to a lack of local investments. Zimbabwe, as a cotton producer, used to have a thriving textile industry but now faces competition from imports and a lack of investment. Traders typically source second-hand clothes from neighbouring countries, sometimes through smuggling.
The East African Community has encouraged member states to buy clothes and shoes made in the region to boost local industries, with Rwanda being the only country to implement the plan through high import taxes. 
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Africa Has Banned Trade In Second-hand Clothes Across The Continent

About 90% of clothes being sold in Zimbabwe are smuggled second-hand clothes.
This was said by Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce president Mike Kamungeremu during an interview with <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/90-of-clothes-in-zim-is-second-hand/">Business Times</a>.
The government banned the importation of second-hand clothes but they are being sold across the country, even in some remote areas an indication that corruption is rampant at the country’s porous borders.
Kamungeremu said support should be given to the textile industry and duty should be increased on clothes imported for resale in order to support the recovery of the local industry. He said:
<blockquote>
There is policy inconsistency with regard to the sale of second-hand clothes (mabhero) – it is illegal to import second-hand clothing (bales) but legally permissible to sell them.
The City Councils levy businesses selling second-hand clothing and surely the local textile industry cannot be resuscitated this way.
About 90% of clothes being sold are smuggled second-hand clothes.
</blockquote>

"90% Of Clothes Sold In Zimbabwe Are Second-hand"

Vendors selling second-hand clothing are back in business in the Central Business District in violation of health measures set to curb the spreading of COVID-19.
The vendors sell mainly winter clothes from parked vehicles without registration plates.
The trade in second-hand winter clothes is also rife in high-density suburbs where the vendors trade by the roadside and in parked commuter omnibuses.
A vendor who spoke to H-Metro said they were selling stock they bought before the country was put on lockdown in March. Said the vendor:
<blockquote>We are aware that second-hand clothes have been banned due to Covid-19 but we had already stocked these before the national lockdown.
I used to have a place at Mupedzanhamo Market so its opening is taking longer and we are starving.
Our business mainly depends on second-hand clothes from Mozambique and if Covid-19 measures are to be taken seriously Forbes and Nyamapanda Border Posts must tightly be monitored.
We are appealing to security agencies to deal with corruption at both border posts and quarantine centres where people are reported to be escaping and as well as skipping borders.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/second-hand-winter-clothes-flood-market/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">H-Metro</a></h4>

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