The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
Government will deploy a team of auditors tomorrow to weed out businesses operating irregularly in Harare Metropolitan Province.
It is suspected that close to 70 percent of businesses in Harare do not have the requisite operating licences.
In the hospitality sector, more than 80 percent of lodges in the capital are believed to be operating illegally. On Monday, the businesses were given a seven-day window to regularise operations. Harare Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Tafadzwa Muguti said the operation is meant to restore sanity. The operation, he said, seeks to engender law-abiding corporate citizens.
Properly registered businesses that pay taxes, said Mr Muguti, will help contribute to economic growth of the province.
He said authorities have discovered that some homeowners were converting their residences into business premises without requisite permits. In some instances, residential spaces, he said, have been turned into havens for illicit activities, restaurants and lodges.
Mr Muguti said business operators have been given seven days to comply with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority regulations and 14 days to comply with all by-laws.
“Those who are in specific businesses that require specific permits and licensing such as the energy sector for gas and those handling chemicals who need additional permits, those handling food who need accreditations, those who are running lodges who need accreditations, need to ensure they have their licences.
“It is in this light that we have given all businesses operating within Harare Metropolitan Province notice to put their houses in order.
“With this in mind, we are hoping to tear down the virus of corruption that is now infused in Harare and we are hoping that things will change.”
A taskforce on anti-corruption and business compliance to oversee the operation has since been set up.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president Mr Denford Mutashu urged businesses to comply.
“CZR is on record calling for accelerated formalisation of all businesses to eliminate the growing illegality associated with the growing shadow economy,” he said.
“Therefore, we urge retailers to comply with laws to avoid inconveniences that may arise when Government enforces the law, as it should.”
