75 percent of businesses in Harare operating illegally: survey

Talent Gore

MOST businesses in the Harare Metropolitan province are operating illegally, a recent survey has revealed.

Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary, Tafadzwa Muguti, said the survey revealed that 75 percent of businesses in Harare, Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Epworth were operating illegally.

Muguti warned corrupt local authorities officials in Harare Metropolitan, saying their time was up as the province gears up to ensure every business contributes to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Muguti said it was disheartening that such a large percentage of businesses were operating illegally.

Only the legal 25 percent were contributing around half of the national GDP.

“A few months ago, my office conducted a survey in Harare Metropolitan province to see how many businesses are operating illegally,” he said.

“It was disheartening that 75 percent are operating illegally.

“These businesses are not registered and they are not paying taxes, meaning the country is not benefiting anything from them.

“The 25 percent of legitimate businesses operating in the Harare Metropolitan province are contributing between 51 to 59 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product,” he said.

“I want to warn local authorities in the Harare Metropolitan province, Harare, Ruwa, Chitungwiza and Epworth, that the time for corrupt authorities is over.

“We are now on an aggressive economic recovery journey in the Second Republic and we need all businesses to contribute to the national GDP.

“We also want local businesses to help us identify corrupt local authorities’ officials,” Muguti said.