adminFrom Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Chiredzi Municipality has resolved to demolish all illegal structures most of which are tuckshops.
The council chairman, Councillor Francis Moyo, said council was responding to the mushrooming of illegal structures in the town.
He said most of the illegal structures were tuckshops which were being constructed without council approval.
Councillor Moyo advised those who want to construct buildings to seek council approval.
“Those that want to construct tuckshops must apply to council and will then be allocated land for that purpose, so all tuckshops constructed at residents’ houses have not been approved,” he said.
Responding to threats to demolish the tuckshops, Chiredzi United Residents Association secretary general Bernard Dachi said council should appreciate that some families were surviving on income from the tuckshops.
“Council should be sensitive to the plight of its residents who a struggling to meet basics as many of them are unemployed.
“It is from these tuckshops that residents are raising money to pay council bills, pay school fees and buy food,” said Dachi.
Residents said the same council which was threatening to demolish tuckshops was collecting $1 per day from tuckshop operators which means they recognise them.
derick.khumalo