Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE ongoing crackdown on illegal vending, unlicensed hawking, unauthorised tuckshops, car washes, gas outlets and fast-food outlets operating outside designated areas across Manicaland is irreversible, Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Abiot Maronge, has declared.
The province-wide exercise, aimed at restoring cleanliness, order and compliance with local authority by-laws, has generally been met with cooperation, although isolated incidents of resistance have emerged as authorities tighten enforcement.
One such incident occurred in Chikanga high-density suburb on Tuesday when a group of rowdy youths allegedly pelted Mutare City Council vehicles involved in the operation with stones.
Two suspects, Josphat Chingozho and Larry Dube, both of Chikanga Phase Two, were arrested in connection with the incident.
A docket has since been opened at ZRP Chikanga under RRB number 6928379.
The pair allegedly stoned council lorries during the enforcement exercise.
Despite pockets of defiance, including vendors who continue to sell goods from verandas in Mutare’s Central Business District, particularly at night and weekends, authorities say the operation has largely been successful.
In many high-density suburbs, vendors, tuckshop operators and car wash owners voluntarily closed their businesses before council officials arrived to dismantle illegal structures.
Speaking on the progress of the campaign, Mr Maronge expressed satisfaction with compliance levels, and said the operation is intended to restore sanity and order in urban areas.
“Yes, it is Mutare that started the ball rolling, but we are expecting all parts of the province to follow suit in every district. We have not encountered serious resistance. Naturally, whenever such interventions are undertaken, there may be one or two cases of non-compliance, but overall the response has been positive,” he said.
Mr Maronge commended residents for cooperating with authorities and embracing the programme.
“We want to commend our communities for their cooperation and compliance. Let me reiterate that this programme is meant to restore the urban character that we want to see across the province and in all our districts,” he said.
He stressed that Government remains resolute in enforcing the clean-up programme, and will not abandon the initiative.
“All that I want to underscore is that the clean-up programme, Chenesa, is continuing. There is no going back. It is in line with the Presidential declaration on the national clean-up programme.
“The objectives are very clear. They are meant to protect our people and our communities. The programme seeks to ensure that our environment remains clean and orderly, while creating conditions that attract investment and stimulate economic growth throughout the province,” said Mr Maronge.
He said the initiative will ultimately contribute to safer, healthier and more organised communities.
Mr Maronge also sought to reassure those affected by the operation, saying Government and local authorities will work to ensure that legitimate traders are relocated to designated trading spaces.
“It is good for us, it is good for our communities and it is good for our country. As the programme continues, we expect our local authorities to work with all arms of Government and SMEs to ensure that those affected can be provided with decent places from which to operate.
“No one will be thrown into destitution. This programme is not meant to victimise anyone. We will go out of our way to ensure that everyone gets a decent and designated place to trade from,” he said.
The clean-up campaign has since spread beyond Mutare City and is now being implemented in areas under Mutare Rural District Council and Mutasa Rural District Council.
Last week, authorities demolished illegal structures at Matondo Business Centre and Watsomba Business Centre as part of efforts to enforce regulations and bring order to trading spaces throughout the province.
No retreat, no surrender on vendor blitz’
