On Tuesday evening, special constables confiscated vendors' cooking utensils and other wares. The vendors were later taken to the nearby police station and charged.

Vendors have been taking advantage of the night facilities at the Gaborone West shopping complex, to make a roaring business. There are two nightclubs at the shopping centre and several bars.

Zimbabwean sex workers have also turned the area into a red light district where they parade themselves in the parking lot. But on Tuesday the Zimbabwean "ladies of the night" disappeared as police staged the raid.

Gaborone West Police Station Commander, Superintendent Bonnie Bareki said the street vendors were breaking the law because they "do not only sell food but beer as well". He said the food sellers were not even licensed to operate there. Bareki said they were also arresting vendors to curb crime. He added that as the police, they also had powers to enforce council bye-laws. The station commander said they were targeting Zimbabwean women who loiter at the mall. This week alone police have arrested 27 Zimbabweans. One of the local vendors, who preferred anonymity, said on Tuesday night 10 of them were each fined P100 by the police. She said they later went to the Gaborone City Council to appeal because vending "is the only way we can make ends meet".

The vendor claimed some councillors had assured them that they would address their plight. She told Mmegi that the police had also accused them of attracting Zimbabwean sex workers but that was untrue because "Zimbabwean ladies continue to conduct their business long after we have retired to our homes".