The City of Harare says it is fully prepared to work with Government and security agencies to forcibly remove vendors from undesignated areas and deal with urban decay and public health concerns in the central business district.
Acting town clerk Warren Chiwawa said the state of the CBD required immediate and coordinated intervention.
“The City of Harare stands ready, willing and mobilised to make the tough decisions necessary to restore order, dignity and cleanliness to our capital,” Chiwawa said.
He said council will identify and service designated trading areas and perimeter markets where vendors removed from unauthorised sites can operate legally.
Chiwawa said the Council will also deploy municipal police in joint operations with other Government agencies to enforce by-laws and restore order, and will engage vendors’ and residents’ associations to ensure traders understand and comply with the new arrangements.
Harare mayor Jacob Mafume said the council will deploy more than 300 municipal police officers for the operation and urged vendors to move to designated sites.
“We are in total agreement with the government. We need order in the capital city, and we will deploy over 300 municipal police officers and we will increase them if need be,” Mafume said.
“We have designated sites and people still want to be outside; people must sell from inside and we are urging the vendors to go and sell there.”
The Government has given vendors until 9 September to vacate undesignated areas.
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