Online Reporter
Emmanuel Kafe
An illegal restaurant was shut down in Harare’s Avenues area at Montague Shopping Centre today, while vendors were moved from the area, as Operation Chenesa Harare continues to gather pace.
The restaurant was shut down during a visit to the area by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, accompanied by Harare mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume and Acting Town Clerk, Advocate Warren Chiwawa, who were monitoring progress of the operation.
In the city’s Central Business District, some vendors appeared to be returning to their previous illegal spots, selling various wares, as authorities stepped up efforts to restore order.
Some could be seen on First Street Mall, while pockets of illegal vending were also visible along Robert Mugabe Road and parts of Fourth Street.
The Government, together with the City of Harare, launched the operation to clear undesignated trading sites and restore the capital’s Sunshine City status.
The operation has since spread to other cities and towns.
While there was limited visibility of municipal police officers in some parts of the Harare CBD today, members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police could be seen arresting some vendors in different parts of the city.
Vendors operating from undesignated areas were being directed to approved trading sites.
Cllr Mafume said the operation would continue until order was restored.
“We want a clean, Smart City and we are clear that we should restore Harare to what it used to be, if not even better,” Cllr Mafume said.
He said vendors who wished to continue operating in the CBD should relocate to designated sites, while those opting to operate in residential areas would also have access to approved trading spaces.
The City has said the operation will combine awareness and engagement with enforcement against vendors who continue operating illegally.
Despite the ongoing enforcement, the return of vendors to some of the city’s busiest streets today highlighted the challenge authorities face in sustaining the clean-up and decongestion campaign.
The Government and council have maintained that informal traders must operate from designated areas rather than obstructing pavements and public spaces.
The operation is expected to continue as authorities seek to reclaim Harare’s streets and restore the capital’s status as the Sunshine City.
