Online Reporter
Tanaka Nkala
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has launched a major crackdown targeting public and private transport operators, informal traders and ratepayers who are violating city by-laws or defaulting on municipal payments.
In a statement, Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said the blitz follows growing lawlessness in the city centre caused by illegal transport activities, unlicensed vending and mounting debt owed to the local authority.
“The City of Bulawayo would like to advise residents and members of the public that it will be conducting a blitz on those who have violated SI 220 of 2023 (City of Bulawayo Clamping and Tow Away By-laws, 2023) and have not paid their outstanding fines,” he said.
Mr Dube said the operation targets buses, commuter omnibuses and pirate taxis (mushikashika) that pick up and drop off passengers at undesignated points, creating congestion and endangering pedestrians.
“The city is embarking on the operation and those who would be found not to have cleared their fines will have their vehicles towed away to a storage facility. They will be further required to pay tow-away and storage fees to reclaim their vehicles,” he said.
Mr Dube also warned that informal traders who have not paid their annual licence fees or monthly rentals at designated vending bays will be included in the operation.
“The City of Bulawayo further advises all the informal traders operating at designated vending sites and bays to pay all their outstanding annual licence fees and monthly rentals with immediate effect as they will be covered in the exercise,” he said.
At the same time, the council is embarking on a massive debt recovery exercise to collect all outstanding rates and service charges from residents, businesses and other stakeholders.
“The City of Bulawayo is embarking on a massive debt recovery exercise to recover all outstanding debts in line with its credit management policy.
“Residents, businesses and stakeholders with outstanding municipal debts are encouraged to visit the revenue hall or any nearest revenue office for payments and suitable payment arrangements,” he said.
Mr Dube warned that defaulters risk legal action or service restrictions if they fail to regularise their accounts.
