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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
BEITBRIDGE town council has rolled out a plan to regularise and register all illegal vendors in the border town in line with a recent Cabinet directive.
Acting town secretary, Douglas Siphuma said at a meeting yesterday that there were more than 800 illegal vendors in the border town.
He said part of the plan would include having dialogue with local vending associations on the plan of action that would see them formalised by June 26.
“We’re looking at addressing the issue of illegal vending and urban settlement as a team. It’s of paramount importance that we engage the concerned people and also register and identify new sites for them in line with the Cabinet directive” he said.
Siphuma said a consultation process would help council resolve issues around illegal vending and uncontrolled urban settlements amicably.
He said the council had also tasked its public relations department to continuously engage and advise the vendors on the new developments.
Siphuma said in some cases they would have to demolish illegal structures and conduct raids as a way of enforcing compliance with the council by-laws where there would be resistance.
“In conducting all our activities we’ll continually consult with stakeholders and give them periodic updates on our successes and challenges,” he said.
Siphuma said the local authority would not tolerate lawlessness and would work with the police and other government departments in enforcing compliance.
Speaking during the same meeting, the officer in charge, Beitbridge urban, Chief Inspector Godwin Mutanga said they were concerned with the increase in child vendors around the border post.
“We’re doing our level best to clean up the border post. Our main worry is an increase in child vendors who are engaged by some of the stakeholders here. Curbing these illegal activities needs a holistic approach and that will start with us as leaders making a self introspection.
“As police we want to warn all those who engage in child labour or breaking the law at will, that we will not hesitate to act,” he said.
Online Reporter