Gibson Mhaka [email protected]
BULAWAYO City Council has been urged to regulate the mushrooming of illegal makeshift trading structures and strengthen disaster preparedness to protect residents and improve urban management.
Councillor Perseverance Nyathi made the call during a recent council meeting, raising concern over the growing number of unapproved shacks being used as shops, food outlets and salons across the city.
While acknowledging the importance of informal trading in providing livelihoods for residents, Cllr Nyathi said the uncontrolled establishment of such structures posed challenges for urban planning, public health and safety.
“While we recognise the importance of informal trading and the need for residents to earn a livelihood, the uncontrolled establishment of these structures is becoming a serious urban management concern,” she said.
She said some structures were being erected without the necessary approvals and could encroach on road reserves and pedestrian walkways, creating potential risks for residents.
Cllr Nyathi warned that the structures could also compromise sanitation and waste management, while increasing the risk of fire and other safety hazards.
“If left unchecked, these temporary structures can gradually become permanent settlements and create difficulties for council in managing structures and enforcing by-laws,” she said.
She urged council to take a proactive approach by planning and regulating informal trading activities and providing suitable spaces for traders instead of allowing unapproved structures to proliferate.
Cllr Nyathi also called for stronger disaster preparedness following heavy storms that hit Masvingo on October 5, 2026, saying the incident highlighted the need for the city to improve its readiness for extreme weather events.
She said disaster management should go beyond responding after damage had occurred and instead prioritise prevention, early warning and coordinated responses.
“This also reminds us as Bulawayo to strengthen our preparedness before major weather events occur, rather than only mobilising after the damage has happened,” she said.
Cllr Nyathi urged council to develop a comprehensive city disaster preparedness plan, strengthen early-warning communication systems and roll out public awareness programmes to equip residents with information on how to respond to emergencies and where to seek assistance.
She also called for a review of the capacity of the city’s drainage systems, roads and bridges to establish whether they could withstand severe weather conditions.
Her submissions come as urban authorities face the challenge of balancing the need to support informal economic activities with the enforcement of planning regulations, while ensuring that infrastructure and emergency systems are prepared to protect residents during disasters.
