Outcry over new BCC fines

Vusumuzi Dube Senior Municipal Reporter

VENDORS in Bulawayo have raised a red flag over the recently published new fines by the local authority noting that there could be gross resistance as no consultations were conducted.

Bulawayo City Council recently released a new schedule of fines which will see vendors operating without licenses being required to pay $50, while those that fail to produce a license will be required to pay $100. Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) executive director Mr Michael Ndiweni on Monday said the new fines could promote the already rampant corruption in the sector. He said vendors will prefer paying enforcement officers smaller bribes to avoid paying the hefty fines.

“Allegations of corruption have already been raised by vendors and informal traders against municipal police. It does not need a rocket scientist to see that this will surely worsen the situation. BCC must come up with realistic fines and measures considering that income levels for vendors and informal traders have drastically reduced due to Covid-19 restrictions that have curtailed trading,” said Mr Ndiweni.

He said the local authority was supposed to engage member association rather than rushing to implement the new fines without consultations.

“BCC was supposed to engage Associations on what measures can be employed to deal with some of these challenges that fines seek to address. The enforcement approach is not always sustainable because vendors and informal traders would always find ways to avoid procedures if there is no consultation and dialogue that ensures buy in,” said Mr Ndiweni.

According to schedule, vendors who conduct boot sales will now pay $200, selling goods at undesignated areas will attract a fine of $400, making noise by using a hailer or radio; $400, roasting maize at undesignated areas; $200, selling prohibited goods; $500 and littering of any form will now attract a fine of $300.