Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has raised alarm over the growing number of businesses operating without licences and registration certificates, saying the trend is depriving the local authority of critical revenue needed to fund service delivery while exposing residents to potential public health risks.
From the latest reports presented before a full council meeting, it emerged that dozens of businesses across the city are operating without valid shop licences, liquor licences and registration certificates.
The findings have sparked concern among councillors who noted that the proliferation of unlicensed businesses is creating an uneven playing field for compliant operators while reducing the city’s ability to raise revenue needed to fund service delivery.
The businesses cited range from supermarkets, butcheries and restaurants to bottle stores, hardware shops, salons and informal trading outlets operating from the central business district and residential suburbs.
The licensing fees and regulatory charges form an important component of municipal income, which is used to support public services such as refuse collection, road maintenance, public health inspections and environmental management.
During inspections conducted in April, council health officials issued 66 intimations and numerous tickets to businesses found operating in violation of council by-laws.
“Most of the premises were trading without valid licences, while others lacked registration certificates required for food handling and related operations,” read part of the report.
Councillors noted that while licensed businesses incur compliance costs and undergo regular inspections, some operators continue to evade regulations while benefiting from the same municipal infrastructure and services.
The situation has also raised public health concerns, particularly where food outlets and butcheries are involved.
Council’s health department reported that inspections carried out during the month resulted in enforcement action against several businesses operating under substandard conditions, including premises found without proper approvals and others failing to meet hygiene requirements.
“The city conducted 1 715 inspections during the reporting period covering routine compliance monitoring, shop licence inspections, renewal of registration certificates and other environmental health functions,” read the report.
The crackdown on unlicensed businesses also dovetails with the Government’s broader drive towards formalisation of the economy which aligns with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which seek to promote orderly urban development, improve ease of doing business and strengthen local authority service delivery.
Councillors called for continued enforcement and awareness campaigns to encourage compliance among business operators, while ensuring that those operating outside the law are brought into the formal system.
They argued that improving compliance would not only enhance public health and consumer protection but would also help widen the city’s revenue base at a time when local authorities are under pressure to maintain essential services.
Council is expected to continue inspections and enforcement operations as part of efforts to promote lawful business practices, improve accountability and create a safer trading environment for both businesses and consumers.
