Paper short abstract:

This paper compares differences in party patronage and coercion at two designated markets in Harare, Zimbabwe. One market is functioning as a ruling party cell, while the city council had relatively more control at a newer market nearby. Patterns changed as the result of factionalism and Covid-19.

Paper long abstract:

The informal economy in many African cities is a major economic source for political actors, both state and non-state. Based on qualitative research at Mupedzanhamo and Coca Cola markets in Harare, between 2018 and 2021, this paper analyses the politics of designated second-hand clothes markets, which have developed as sites for contestation between the MDC-A dominated city council and elements in the ruling party, ZANU-PF. The paper compares differences in party patronage and coercion at two designated markets in Harare, Zimbabwe. One market is functioning as a ruling party cell, while the city council had relatively more control at a newer market nearby. Patterns changed as the result of factionalism and Covid-19. It will demonstrate how the covid-19 crisis provided an opportunity for the city council and partisan actors to reposition themselves, with some ascertaining and others losing influence. The study contributes to debates on urban dominance in repressive regime settings, by showing how partisan patronage works at markets, and by showing how moments of crisis reconfigure power dynamics among competing political actors.