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BULAWAYO residents have called on the city council to do away with repressive city by-laws that have seen municipal police harassing and arresting vendors going about their business.In an interview yesterday, Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BUPRA) programmes and advocacy manager, Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu said some of the by-laws were outdated and as such they were no longer in line with the reality on the ground.
He said the council should stop harassing vendors as they are a potential source of revenue.
“The council should amend some of these by-laws so that instead of harassing and arresting vendors the local authority facilitates the operations of vendors who will then pay some fees to council,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said the council should create an enabling environment for vendors as many of its residents have turned to the informal sector for a living after many companies in the city closed.
He called on the councillors to constantly engage the residents so that they agree with residents on what the city priorities are.
Mr Ndlovu said councillors should always ensure that residents’ interests come first.
“There is a need for the re-establishment of the social contract between the residents and the local authorities. There was a disconnection between residents and councillors of the previous council as they failed to prioritise issues affecting the residents,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He said if the council engages residents, there will be no need for central Government to intervene in the running of council affairs.
Mr Ndlovu said councillors should not serve party interests but the interests of residents who elected them into office.
Online Reporter