Egodini Mall fiasco: Vendors and kombis going nowhere?

APPROXIMATELY 2000 vendors and kombis that were scheduled to vacate the Basch Street terminus popularly known as Egodini are still doing 'business as usual' despite a Bulawayo City Council (BCC) resolution compelling them to vacate the premises by April 30 (today) to pave way for the construction of a mall.

The local authority last month announced that all informal traders and kombis operating at the terminus would be relocated in preparation for the construction of a state-of-the-art mall at the beginning of May. BCC officials went further to embark on a sensitization programme aimed at alerting commuters and vendors about the new development.

However, Bulawayo24 news has it on good authority that the municipality has temporarily reneged on the resolution as a result of the chaos that has rocked the local authority concerning the tendering process for the construction of the mall following an order by the ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to have the deal investigated under unclear circumstances.

According to Saviour Kasukuwere's led ministry, the tender process, which saw Terracorta, a civil engineering company based in neigbouring South Africa winning the tender, was not done above board. But the city fathers are vehemently denying the allegations, a development which might throw the deal into further disarray, further delaying the commencement of the much-awaited project.

However, the delay might be a blessing in disguise to thousands of kombi operators and vendors – who, despite having no option – would have been heavily affected by relocating to new venues without compensation.

In separate interviews today, kombi operators and vendors who seem to enjoy another unplanned extension, said: "We will continue with our business here because BCC has in the past few weeks been silent about our relocation."

"Yes we are aware that we should be out by today but we last had from BCC officials two weeks ago. They used to move around making the announcement but they have since stopped that," a kombi driver who refused to be named said.

"We heard rumours that the deadline to vacate this place has been extended to May 4 but we didn't get an official announcement," added a vendor operating at the premises.

According to the informal traders BCC officials were seen removing billboards at the premises this week but they reportedly did not communicate with anyone concerning the closure of the terminus for construction.

BCC public relations department personnel said they could not comment when they are not at work.

Although an official comment could not be sought from BCC, insiders say the project could be further stalled for another six months if the tender is reversed.