Tendai Charumbira
Masvingo City Council will soon descend on unlicensed vendors following the proliferation of illegal trading centers in most residential areas around the city.
According to minutes of proceedings of the Health, Housing and Environmental Services committee meeting held at Civic Center, the committee raised an issue on illegal trading activities within residential areas before it was also agreed that council organize a joint blitz with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to combat the activities.
“On trading licenses, the committee raised concern on illegal trading activities within residential premises in the commonage, It was agreed that council should organize a joint blitz with the Republic Police to combat illegal businesses in the residential areas,” read the minutes.
The minutes further reads that a similar consideration was given to the report of the Director of housing and social services on illegal vendors operating outside Garikai market after illegal structures erected outside the market were noticed.
“Consideration was given to the report of the Director of housing and social services on illegal vendors operating outside Garikai market, it was also reported that illegal structures had been erected outside Garikai market,” read the minutes.
The committee also granted council approval to remove all legal structures operating outside the market areas.
“The committee sought council approval to demolish all illegal structures operating outside the market areas. It was highlighted that a joint operation of ZRP and council would conduct operation,” added the minutes.
Quite a number of trading points outside the market became more popular after more traders flocked the area to sell basic commodities after the rise of prices of basic commodities due to inflation.
