Ultimatum for Chitungwiza informal traders

RUTENDO RORI

Informal traders plying their trade along the streets of Chitungwiza have been given a 72-hour ultimatum to vacate their illegal sites, the Business Times has learnt.

In a statement issued this week, the Chitungwiza town clerk, Evangelisto Machona, said the informal traders were violating the municipality laws.

“Chitungwiza Municipality would like to inform all people conducting informal businesses like brick moulding, brick selling, car wash, car parks, car sales, furniture making, vending and any other activities along council and state roads servitude to cease operations forthwith,” Machona said.

She added: “We are going to give those conducting businesses illegally on roads up to 72 hours to remove all your belongings.

“Failure to take heed of this statement, council will not hesitate to enforce measures. This statement is being issued in accordance with section 24 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act.”

Machona also said the local authority would embark on a joint operation with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development.

“Please be further informed that council shall be embarking on a joint operation with the ZRP and the department of State roads in the Transport and Infrastructure Development Ministry this Friday.

“Please take this warning seriously to prevent loss of life and damages to property. Council shall not be liable for losses or costs in the event of damages to your property arising from the impending operation,” reads the statement.

Chitungwiza Residents Trust director, Alice Kuvheya yesterday blamed council for failing to provide sites for informal businesses.

She said the informal traders would defy the directive to leave the streets, arguing that vending was their only source of income.

“This is total madness; we will not allow this to happen. Most residents rely on informal trading; we are tired of their threats on our lives. We are going to take action,” she said.

She added: “We resist the ultimatum issued by council because we have nowhere to go. We earn a living from vending.

“Council has failed to identify, designate and develop more vending sites to contain the influx of vendors on the streets.”