adminAccording to a circular sent to the businesspeople, the inspection was conducted between 9 and 19 November.
“This has been necessitated by the realisation that most structures constructed were occupied without following proper inspection procedures and where structures are deemed not to be habitable, occupants would be evicted instantly,” reads part of the circular.
The businessman said the RDC officials did no treat community members well and they were being inconsiderate.
“If they destroy our structures then they should compensate us because where do they expect us to raise the money to reconstruct them,” said the businessman.
He said most businesspeople in the area had occupation certificates and they did not understand the basis of the inspection.
“I approached them to seek an explanation, but they referred me from office to office as if they did not know what they were doing,” said the businessman.
He said the RDC’s intention to destroy business structures in the district was tantamount to sabotage.
“We are appealing to the provincial leadership to do something because as developers we feel we are being frustrated and demoralised.
“This is bad for the district’s development, instead of moving forward they are taking the district back,” said the businessman.
Another affected businessman said he had received a verbal warning from Bubi RDC officials that his premises would be destroyed, as his structures do not meet minimum health standards.
“What is surprising is that some of the businesspeople were exempted from the inspection.
“If the inspection is a fair process then all the business entities should have been inspected,” said the businessman.
A majority of businesspeople in the district are running butcheries, general dealers shops and bottle stores.
Contacted for comment, RDC acting chief executive officer, who only identified himsel as Mr Dube, said they were waiting for councillors to meet and finalise the issue on condemned buildings.
“At the moment I can not say anything because the councillors are yet to meet and deliberate on the issue,” said Mr Dube.
He said it was too soon to conclude anything, as the matter was still being looked into.-The Chronicle
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