Cooking, braaing meat, mealies on street corners irks council

Gibson Mhaka

Bulawayo City Councillors have once again raised concerns over the surge of illegal fresh meat vendors operating across the city. These unlicensed vendors, often seen cooking or braaiing meat and mealies at street corners, have become a widespread issue, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of regulations.

Councillors also urged butcheries with braai spots to adhere to the council’s braai policy, emphasising the need for proper hygiene and compliance. Additionally, they highlighted the growing presence of vendors frying and selling Russian sausages and chips, particularly in high-traffic areas such as 6th Avenue, Lobengula Street, and Bulawayo Centre.

According to the latest council minutes, Ward 2 Councillor Adrian Redani Moyo expressed concern over the uncontrolled spread of fresh meat vendors.

“The city is now overrun with fresh meat vendors, with illegal operators cooking and selling meat at nearly every street corner. Strict enforcement is necessary, and butcheries with braai spots must comply with council regulations,” said Clr Moyo.

Ward 11 Councillor Suzan Sithole sought clarification on the disposal of condemned meat, warning that improperly discarded meat could end up being resold. She also raised concerns about the increasing number of sausage vendors on street corners.

Ward 20 Councillor Sandra Sibindi agreed, stating that some registered butcheries were also selling condemned meat.

“When confronted about poor-quality meat, many butcheries blame electricity load shedding as an excuse,” she noted.

Ward 7 Councillor Thandiwe Moyo raised alarm over food vending from unhygienic environments, including makeshift kitchens and car boots. She called for council intervention to ensure food outlets operate from suitable structures and suggested issuing licenses for food caravans. Her proposal was supported by Ward Councillor Royini Sekete, who urged strict enforcement of by-laws.

“Selling meat in open spaces should be banned, and unlicensed butcheries should face penalties or closure. There also needs to be clarity on temporary food vending licenses,” he said.

Health Services Chairperson and Ward 23 Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo emphasised the need to regulate cooked food vendors, particularly those operating at Entumbane Country Bus Terminus.

“Selling raw meat from cooler boxes in the streets should be prohibited. Residents must be warned against purchasing such products. Unregistered butcheries should be shut down immediately,” she insisted.

Responding to the councillors’ concerns, the Assistant Director of Health Services (Environmental) clarified that mobile food carts (caravans) were legal, provided the vendor secures a council-leased site. He also assured that enforcement operations targeting cooked food vendors would be conducted soon.

“Condemned meat is confiscated and either donated to the SPCA or used to feed animals at Chipangali. If unfit for animal consumption, it is disposed of at the landfill site,” he explained.

He encouraged councillors and residents to report and submit samples of poor-quality food for further investigation.