City of Harare is ready to make tough decisions to restore order and cleanliness in the capital, with council pledging to ensure vendors operate only from designated trading areas.
Acting Town Clerk Advocate Warren Chiwawa said the local authority was fully prepared to work with Government and security agencies to enforce measures aimed at addressing illegal vending, urban decay and public health concerns in the central business district (CBD).
“The City of Harare stands ready, willing and mobilised to make the tough decisions necessary to restore order, dignity and cleanliness to our capital,” Adv Chiwawa said.
He said council recognised that the condition of the CBD required immediate and coordinated intervention.
“We acknowledge that the state of our central business district demands immediate and coordinated intervention,” he said.
Adv Chiwawa said council would identify and service designated trading areas and perimeter markets where vendors displaced from unauthorised sites could operate.
“The city of Harare has prepared concrete cooperation plans to support Government directives, including space allocation and relocation, identification and servicing of designated safe havens and perimeter markets to accommodate relocated vendors,” he said.
He said council would also deploy its municipal police in joint operations with other Government agencies to enforce by-laws and restore order.
The operations would target illegal night vending, unregulated structures and other activities contributing to disorder in the CBD.
Adv Chiwawa said the council would also engage vendors’ and residents’ associations to ensure that traders understood and complied with the new arrangements.
“We welcome your leadership, and we assure you of our full cooperation. Let us work together to rebuild Harare into a smart, liveable city,” he said.
-herald
