adminH-Metro Reporter
SUNRIDGE residents in Harare are frustrated by the Harare City Council’s failure to close down bars, which have been deemed public health hazards.
The Council’s health department recently ordered FatCow, and other bars at the Sunridge Shopping Centre, to close.
However, the bars have refused to close shop and, instead, argue that their facilities meet the health requirements necessary for operation.
Residents suspect corruption within the local authority.
They are fed up with the noise and immoral behaviour of bar patrons, which they say is causing the value of nearby properties to decline.
They say it’s making it difficult for residents to sell their properties and move elsewhere.
They also allege that drug dealing is now rife in the area and that the non-collection of garbage, and leaking sewer pipes, are posing serious health hazards.
Some residents feel that the district officer is on their side but powerless to act, while others have lost hope altogether.
Ward 16 Councillor, Denford Ngadziore, told residents at a previous meeting that the trading licences would not be renewed.
“At the moment we are getting verbal and conflicting messages, which is frustrating, considering the efforts that we are making and it also results in us concluding that there is corruption taking place,” he said.
Residents yesterday said they could no longer send their children to the shops because of the patrons’ behaviour.
Lack of running water, non-collection of garbage and leaking sewer pipes also pose a health hazard.
“We have tried our best going to the City of Harare, the police, the Mayor and the Councillor, but nothing has happened so far,” said Wadzanai Chigume, a Mabelreign resident.
“We have lost hope in the district officer (Jane Gambiza), as we believe she has an interest in this shopping area.
“FatCow was supposed to be shut down but they went and told him (the owner) to put a toilet and continue to operate and that’s exactly what he has done.
“So, it looks like we are fighting a losing battle.”
However, other residents believe the district officer understood their plight, but was powerless to act.
“The district officer seems to be on our side but there’s nothing she can do,” said Herbert Chiwese.
‘‘And, the crime rate is going up. It’s really scary.
“I don’t know what we are going to do about it.
“We are trying to go through the right channels, but it’s not helping.”
Chiweshe also wants to know what the City by-laws say about having three bars in the middle of houses.
“Our main concern is having three bars like 100 metres from our houses and we don’t know if that is permissible by Council by-laws,” he said.
“Our children can’t even go to the shops as there is a lot of immoral behaviour from Friday to Sunday.
“Now we don’t know exactly who is responsible for shutting down these bars.”
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