Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA –
The continuous sprouting of illegal traders at Jerera Growth Point has irked
the business community prompting them to petition the local authority in a bid
to flush out all illegal traders whom they accuse of stealing the market.
The continuous sprouting of illegal traders at Jerera Growth Point has irked
the business community prompting them to petition the local authority in a bid
to flush out all illegal traders whom they accuse of stealing the market.
In
the petition dated July 14, 2019, the Zaka Business Association (ZBA) cries foul
saying the Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) is sleeping on duty while illegal
traders who do not pay any licences run down the growth point.
the petition dated July 14, 2019, the Zaka Business Association (ZBA) cries foul
saying the Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) is sleeping on duty while illegal
traders who do not pay any licences run down the growth point.
The
petition also accuses the council officials of protecting the illegal traders
who give them bribe money and be left to trade on undesignated areas.
petition also accuses the council officials of protecting the illegal traders
who give them bribe money and be left to trade on undesignated areas.
“We
have noted with serious concern the proliferation of illegal traders on council
pavements, our shop verandas and all open spaces.
have noted with serious concern the proliferation of illegal traders on council
pavements, our shop verandas and all open spaces.
“The
illegal traders are operating under the protection of the council who collect
money from them and we have lost most of our business to these people yet we
pay rates to the council.
illegal traders are operating under the protection of the council who collect
money from them and we have lost most of our business to these people yet we
pay rates to the council.
“We
demand that the council remove all the illegal traders who have taken over our
shop pavements and other undesignated trading areas,” reads the petition.
demand that the council remove all the illegal traders who have taken over our
shop pavements and other undesignated trading areas,” reads the petition.
The business community has threatened the
council with a lawsuit and boycotting payment of rates if they do not act on
the petition.
council with a lawsuit and boycotting payment of rates if they do not act on
the petition.
Zaka
RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Majaura was not available for comment
as his mobile phone went unanswered for several times.
RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Majaura was not available for comment
as his mobile phone went unanswered for several times.
However,
when contacted for comment, Zaka RDC chairperson Cornelius Mapuranga said the
business community was at fault for they are the ones who harbour the illegal
traders in their verandas.
when contacted for comment, Zaka RDC chairperson Cornelius Mapuranga said the
business community was at fault for they are the ones who harbour the illegal
traders in their verandas.
“Why
do they keep them in their verandas? They have to chase them away and as the
council we always fine them for operating illegally.
do they keep them in their verandas? They have to chase them away and as the
council we always fine them for operating illegally.
“The
shop owners should not cry foul because they are the ones who house them in
their verandas and are actually charging rentals from them,” said Mapuranga.
shop owners should not cry foul because they are the ones who house them in
their verandas and are actually charging rentals from them,” said Mapuranga.
