‘Masvingo city by-laws archaic’

TATENDA CHIKARA IN MASVINGO

Masvingo’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have called on the city council to review its by-laws, which they said are outdated and are restricting business operations.

The Masvingo Province Small and Medium Enterprises  Association chairman, Michael Taderera said the by-laws affect business and should be revised.

“Interaction between the SME’s and Council is being affected by the current by-laws. It seems the council is very strict with its laws but these by-laws are now old fashioned, so it needed the city fathers to dialogue with stakeholders standing for the business community as to what developmental role should we play since we will be doing business in the city, they need to be revised,” Taderera said.

The Masvingo Province Small and Medium Enterprises  Association is an amalgamation of several business people in the City.

Taderera bemoaned a plethora of facilities that were left idle in the city which could have housed many businesses owing to the restrictive bylaws.

“There are so many properties that are not working in the city which we as a business community can help us increase business activities, but the council laws are scuttling all efforts as they argue their bylaws does not allow them to do so,” bemoaned Taderera.

Giving a case of Norton, Taderera added that it was possible for residents not to pay much on service delivery as the business community was going to contribute certain amounts.

“Giving an example of Norton, they do what is called ring fencing, a situation where the business community can contribute some amounts to the city fathers towards essential services like water. It is possible because the business community can contribute more than the residents,” Taderera added.

Contacted for comment, Masvingo town clerk, Edward Mukaratirwa told the Business Times that he had not received any such proposals from the Business Community.

“I have not received any such proposal as yet from the business community representatives,” Mukaratirwa said