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Sibongile Maruta Herald reporter
Harare City Council has extended to today Operation Clean-up CBD to allow commuter omnibus operators and on-street vendors to be prepared for relocation. Initially, kombis were supposed to stop operating from the city centre from yesterday.
Speaking to The Herald yesterday, Harare City Council corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme said council was not banning commuter omnibuses and on-street vendors, but was relocating them to designated sights.
“We have extended commuter omnibus operators and the vendors an extra day for them to be prepared for the relocation. We are not banning on-street vendors and commuter omnibus operators, but we are relocating them to designated sights.
“Beginning today, all public transport vehicles will be using new designated bus ranks and those that used fourth street bus rank will continue using it.
“Vendors are also expected to be at designated sites. The CBD is not meant for commuter omnibus operators whether legal or not, and on-street vending, Our targets are commuter omnibus operators, whether illegal or legal, on-street vendors and money changers,” said Mr Chideme.
He said the chairperson of the task force, Major-General Ancelot Sanyatwa, led inspections of the various sites to gauge the preparedness; and city council officers are working round the clock to ensure all necessary infrastructure is available.
There are 50 shuttle buses from Zupco, Mukumba Brothers and the Association of Long Distance Bus Operators. Mr Chideme further said, this exercise is also targeting senior officials who abuse their ranks, who operate public transport vehicles and if the vehicle is found on the wrong side of the law, it will be impounded.
All impounded vehicles, Mr Chideme said, will go through a process of clearing all relevant payments before it gets back on the road.
“I am encouraging all vendors to be registered with the city, and our officers will be on the ground ready to register anyone. The city council is looking into the law so that will deal with public transport operators that continuously break the law,” said Mr Chideme.
Online Reporter