Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Online Reporter
CITY of Bulawayo councillors have raised concerns over the influx of ‘cheap and unhealthy’ foodstuffs allegedly smuggled from South Africa that are flooding the city, posing health risks to residents.
Some of the foodstuffs that were flagged by councillors as unhealthy include meat, which they said was likely to lead to cases of food poisoning rising in the city.
Ward 17 Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo said: “Illegal vending of food and meat products is now everywhere in the city. The summer season is fast approaching and temperatures will rise. Some of the meat products will need refrigeration and a lack of it could lead to cases of food poisoning in the city increasing.”
Councillor Dumisani Netha of Ward 14 said the foodstuffs were being sold by illegal vendors who operate at night in the streets and pavements in the city centre.
“Most of these food products are purchased in South Africa and sold in the streets of Bulawayo at cheap prices. A majority of these foodstuffs are not healthy. Council should ban the sale of expired food in the streets,” said Cllr Netha.
Ward 14 Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo cited some of the country’s porous borders as the entry points of the unhealthy foodstuffs that are smuggled into the country.
“Some of the food is smuggled into the country in huge quantities and is easily accessible to residents who buy it from illegal vendors. Council should continue engaging other stakeholders such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to eradicate illegal vending activities in the city,” said Cllr Khumalo.
