Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
THE infamous nightspot Migalo in Bulawayo’s Sizinda suburb is operating illegally and if it continues, the proprietor might face imprisonment following a site visit by the local authority last week.
Residents of the high-density suburb blame Power Foods Butchery, which they say is operating as the illegal nightclub known as Migalo, for the spate of violent crimes.
Last week, a total of 258 Ward 21 residents in Bulawayo signed a petition calling for its closure, saying it was causing violent crimes in the area.
Earlier this month, residents from the suburb woke up to the gory scene of a bloodied body of a man, Alson Moyo (36), who was reportedly stabbed and killed just 50 metres from his house.
Residents claimed that ever since the opening of the establishment last year, stabbings, housebreakings and muggings have been on the rise.
Bulawayo City Council spokesperson Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said the local authority has since given a warning to Migalo’s proprietor.
“Council advised the operator that the establishment/operations are illegal verbally and follow-up with a written warning will be done. Should the activities persist the perpetrators are then dealt with in terms of the provisions of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act (serve enforcement and prohibition orders),” said Mrs Mpofu.
According to the Act, any person who contravenes or fails to comply with an order in terms of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level eight or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
Mrs Mpofu said after receiving the petition from residents, the local authority visited the establishment.
“Council received a petition from the residents concerning the operations on the above-mentioned property. A site visit was carried out to the premises and it was established that there was a sound system and furniture for sitting and pool tables in the backyard. No retail of liquor or restaurant activities were found at the time of the site visit,” said Mrs Mpofu.
She said Power Foods Butchery was a butchery and it did not have a development permit to retail liquor or operate a licensed restaurant (special).
Mrs Mpofu said operations for such entities are guided by the conditions on the respective development permit(s) together with the conditions of the respective licences, for example, the opening and closing times and the age restriction for patrons.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association secretary for administration Mr Thembelani Dube thanked BCC for acting in the interests of the residents.
“We want to commend the Bulawayo City Council for their speedy reaction to the petition and concerns of the residents. We shall be monitoring the situation on the ground to see if the butchery is complying with the council order,” said Mr Dube.
He said the warning by the local authority must be deterrent enough for Migalo to cease operations.
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