Raid nets 80 illegal businesses

found to be operating illegally.
Health services co-director Dr Prosper Chonzi said another team would be following up on the identified businesses to enforce closure.
Some of the businesses belong to councillors and Members of Parliament, among some high-ranking public figures.
Dr Chonzi said some of the affected individuals were phoning his offices pleading to continue operating illegally, but he had told them to pay up.
“There is no going back. There are no negotiations. People should just pay up,” he said.
Addressing journalists at Town House Monday, city health services co-director Dr Stanley Mungofa said the programme                  targeted all business operators regardless of social class.
“There will be no sacred cows,” he said.
Those who sub-divide shops and                    hairdressers who rent chairs in salons would also be targeted.
The blitz, expected to last for five weeks, would involve teams of five officials from the environmental inspectorate, municipal police, ZRP, urban planning and a cashier.
Harare expects to collect US$15 million in shop and business licence fees every year.
The council has been collecting US$2,4 million.
Some well connected individuals are reportedly operating illegal businesses on undesignated sites and selling poisonous substances, some with the purple label.
Operators pay varying amounts per year with hair salons paying as much as US$200.
The city has discovered that hairdressers operate independently from the building operator through the rent-a-chair concept.
This implies that each hairdresser and barber would be asked to pay the required amount individually.
Banks pay US$1 225, manufacturers US$605, shops US$530 and butcheries US$200.
The businesses have to pay shop licence fees and for any other extra activity that they engage in. Dr Mungofa said the amount of licence fees depended on the nature of business and the number of activities conducted in the building.
He said departmental stores with a cafeteria, record bars and health spas should pay licence fees for each of the units.
The team would issue shop and business licences on the spot together with receipts to confirm payment.
Businesses that fail to pay would be closed immediately. Ten teams have been assembled to go around the city and would among their duties assess the suitability to award operating licences.
This means that besides issuing the licences, the teams would be vetting business premises for safety.
Some businesses would also be asked to close down instead of paying licence fees.
“Those who have not paid their 2012 licence fees should do so,” said Mr Mungofa.
“Pay through our teams visiting your premises. Those that defy would be prosecuted.”
Original copies of licences should be displayed.
Mr Mungofa said operators wishing to pay for 2013 could still use the 2012 rates.