Mkhululi Ncube [email protected]
THE City of Bulawayo has postponed the commencement of Operation Hlanzeka, which was scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 1, to allow for further engagement with informal traders and other stakeholders.
In a public notice, the local authority said the operation had been put on hold with immediate effect and would resume in two weeks.
The postponement is also intended to give informal traders operating from undesignated areas time to relocate to approved trading sites, remove illegal structures and move their goods before the operation resumes.
The city said it was facilitating further consultations with affected stakeholders as part of its commitment to being a listening local authority.
“The City of Bulawayo, as a listening local authority, is facilitating further engagement with all concerned stakeholders. The operation will resume in two weeks’ time. This also gives informal traders operating in undesignated areas time to relocate to designated sites, remove their illegal structures and move their wares,” said the notice.
The local authority, however, maintained that trading from undesignated areas, including road servitudes, parking bays and pavements, remained prohibited under its by-laws.
While acknowledging the contribution of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to livelihoods and the local economy, the council urged traders to operate from designated trading spaces.
“All MSMEs and stakeholders are encouraged to comply with by-laws by moving their businesses to designated trading areas. We urge all affected MSMEs to co-operate with the authorities during this transition period to ensure a smooth relocation process,” the notice reads.
Meanwhile, the council yesterday demolished structures at Mpopoma Outspan Furniture Manufacturing Complex, popularly known as Espamprikeni.
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