The Sunday Mail
Emmanuel Kafe and Rudo Mandiro
LOCAL authorities have started identifying possible trading sites for those who have been affected by the first phase of the operation targeting informal traders who had set up illegal structures along road servitudes in Harare.
Road servitudes are the full width of the space reserved for a road and the Road Act in Section 48 states that it is prohibited to trade on such spaces unless there is written permission from the Road Authority.
Scores of informal traders who had built car sales, shacks and vending stalls on road sides and verges in the city, were last week left counting their losses after the Government launched a blitz against the illegal structures.
Those who ignored a three-day ultimatum from local authorities got their structures demolished.
The demolitions, authorities said, seek to bring sanity to the city amid indications that land allocations were being done fraudulently by some council officials and councillors, while prejudicing the local authority of the much-needed revenue.
The illegal structures posed danger to road users and prevented works such as widening of the roads.
However, some of the illegal traders, whose structures were destroyed, said they had paid money to some council officials to occupy the spaces.
Mr Munyaradzi Choga, who traded in roof sheets and furniture along Masvingo Road, at the traffic circle popularly known as Mbudzi Roundabout, said he had a lease from the Harare City Council.
“I believe I was operating within the confines of the city by-laws. They never told us that it was unauthorised to do business here. All they did was to take our money, I am still in shock,” he said.
Another informal trader, Ms Abigail Marova had no kind words for council.
“It’s painful and I am hurt, this is my only source of income. What pains me the most is that officers from council came before the demolition and asked for money. We gave them about US$50 but now look, our structures are gone.”
Harare Residents Trust (HRT) director Mr Precious Shumba said the Government had to listen to the cries of the victims of corrupt council systems.
“The Government should descend heavily on the corrupt,” he said.
Harare City spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme said the demolitions were necessary, urging those who ost money to council officials to report such cases to the police.
“We want sanity in the city, people and businesses should follow due diligence and council bylaws when it comes to business. People should know that road servitudes are reserved for road extensions, and the removal is in line with our plan and programme to rehabilitate the roads,” he explained.
Mr Chideme said the local authority had identified suitable areas for informal traders where they are given permits and licenses to operate.
Like Harare city, Chitungwiza Municipality has since identified 26 designated trading sites with an estimated carrying capacity of more than 5000 people in all its districts.
Chitungwiza Municipality acting town clerk Mrs Evangelista Machona said all registered Small and Medium Enterprises traders should visit their respective district offices for allocation of trading spaces.
Provincial Co-ordinator for Harare Metropolitan Province Mr Tafadzwa Muguti said demolitions of illegal structures will continue until sanity prevails in the city.
He said “anyone who dares to re-erect the structures will face the full wrath of the law.”
Mr Muguti issued a stern warning to car dealers reminding them that they do not own title to the servitudes.
“You are on leases, a lease can be terminated. We have since held meetings with the council, and with immediate effect we are starting to cancel leases based on certain criteria like if you are in breach of your lease, that is, those who have not paid the city council and those who are on the servitudes.”
