News / National
Ultimatum for kombis, informal traders
21 Aug 2014 at 16:37hrs | Views
Informal traders and commuter omnibus operators have been given a 30-day deadline to register with the Harare municipality for them to operate in the city.
The ultimatum is a culmination of negotiations between commuter bus operators, informal traders, local and central government which is aimed at bringing sanity to the capital's central business district and residential areas by formalising all businesses operating within the city.
The informal sector is estimated to account for about $7 billion circulating outside the formal economy.
Harare Town Clerk Tendai Mahachi said regulating the operations of the informal sector is in line with the city fathers quest to decongest the CBD.
"All should register and those who are already registered should re-register. Trading outside demarcated zones will not be tolerated neither will multiple ownership of stalls. Those who would not have registered will be put off the road or business and goods confiscated," said Dr Mahachi.
Stakeholders operating businesses in Harare have welcomed the move and pledged to support the programme through strict adherence to the new regulations.
"As vendors we will conform to your new regulations as they now afford us a chance to contribute positively to the mainstream economy, while families can now operate without fear or prejudice," said Alexio Mudzengerere, the National Chairperson for Grassroots Empowerment Flea Markets and Vending Association Trust.
"As the Greater Harare Commuter Operators, we also pledge to ensure registration and adherence to routes is followed and will assist you in effecting citizen's arrest if our members flout the laws," said Cosmas Mbonjani of the Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators.
The new regulations require every trader and business operator to register with the city council, with those in residential areas using their district offices.
Under the new regulations, it is an offence to sell commodities on pavements, traffic intersections, road islands and in the middle of the road or any area not designated for trading purposes.
In the past the local authority, commuter bus operators and informal traders were engaged in daily cat and mouse chases and it is hoped that the new arrangement will bring sanity and economic empowerment with the informal businesses contributing towards revenue collection.
The ultimatum is a culmination of negotiations between commuter bus operators, informal traders, local and central government which is aimed at bringing sanity to the capital's central business district and residential areas by formalising all businesses operating within the city.
The informal sector is estimated to account for about $7 billion circulating outside the formal economy.
Harare Town Clerk Tendai Mahachi said regulating the operations of the informal sector is in line with the city fathers quest to decongest the CBD.
"All should register and those who are already registered should re-register. Trading outside demarcated zones will not be tolerated neither will multiple ownership of stalls. Those who would not have registered will be put off the road or business and goods confiscated," said Dr Mahachi.
Stakeholders operating businesses in Harare have welcomed the move and pledged to support the programme through strict adherence to the new regulations.
"As vendors we will conform to your new regulations as they now afford us a chance to contribute positively to the mainstream economy, while families can now operate without fear or prejudice," said Alexio Mudzengerere, the National Chairperson for Grassroots Empowerment Flea Markets and Vending Association Trust.
"As the Greater Harare Commuter Operators, we also pledge to ensure registration and adherence to routes is followed and will assist you in effecting citizen's arrest if our members flout the laws," said Cosmas Mbonjani of the Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators.
The new regulations require every trader and business operator to register with the city council, with those in residential areas using their district offices.
Under the new regulations, it is an offence to sell commodities on pavements, traffic intersections, road islands and in the middle of the road or any area not designated for trading purposes.
In the past the local authority, commuter bus operators and informal traders were engaged in daily cat and mouse chases and it is hoped that the new arrangement will bring sanity and economic empowerment with the informal businesses contributing towards revenue collection.
Source - zbc
