Navigating Poverty and Policing: Petty Theft as an Urban Survival Strategy in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Beyond crude classifications as 'formal' or 'informal', petty theft represents an underexplored livelihood strategy that some urban poor in Harare navigated to procure basic needs. This study delves into the intricate dynamics of petty thievery as a survival strategy within the urban landscape. Amidst economic downturns and unemployment, this phenomenon emerges as a complex, albeit clandestine, component of the informal economy. By examining the socio-economic underpinnings and moral dilemmas faced by individuals engaged in such activities, the paper aims to shed light on the broader implications for urban governance, social justice, and policy interventions in African cities. Through a blend of qualitative interviews and analysis of urban socio-economic trends, the research offers insights into the challenges and resilience of urban dwellers navigating the margins of legality and survival. Armed with intimate spatial knowledge of the city, thieves operate alone or in groups to steal food, wigs, cellphones, and cash. The schemes also involve elaborate schemes known as chadonha (falling) or kuvharwa (being closed), which involve conning people of their money or cellphones. Rather than a stable profession, thievery amounts to an unpredictable coping strategy, negotiated ad hoc based on individual circumstances and the vagaries of law enforcement. Findings challenge simplistic portrayals of petty criminals and highlight the contingency with which urban residents appropriate the city as a locus of control and care amid the dysfunctionality of formal safety nets. Recasting thievery as a vulnerable extreme of diverse urban livelihood practices compels re-examination of punitive approaches to alleviate its root causes better.