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Bulawayo councillors push for stricter enforcement of bylaws
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Bulawayo councillors are calling for tighter enforcement of health regulations to curb the growing number of unhygienic food outlets operating in the city.
Ward 28 Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu expressed concern over the rise of food vendors operating without proper health inspections, particularly in areas such as Cowdray Park. He highlighted that some individuals were selling food directly from their vehicles, disregarding basic hygiene standards. Ndlovu warned that this posed a serious risk to public health and called for urgent intervention from the local authority to enforce hygiene regulations.
He urged the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to take decisive action by intensifying health inspections, shutting down illegal food outlets, and ensuring compliance with hygiene regulations. He further called for law enforcement agencies to work closely with the city's health department to remove unregulated meat vendors operating in open spaces such as bus termini and markets. Ndlovu cautioned that failure to act could lead to outbreaks of diseases such as typhoid and cholera, endangering the lives of residents.
Ward 15 Councillor Ashton Mhlanga echoed these concerns, stating that the city council should provide more designated spaces for those in the food business. He emphasized that selling food on the streets posed significant health risks as vendors often lacked access to running water and other essential sanitation facilities. He also noted that illegal food outlets had degraded the city’s cleanliness, putting the health of the public at risk.
The issue was also raised by Ward 23 Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo during a recent council meeting. She pointed out that cooked food vendors were operating in large numbers at bus termini, urging the city council to establish properly regulated food outlets in strategic locations to improve public health and safety.
In response, BCC Assistant Director for Health Services (Environment) Charles Malaba said the council would engage residents and educate them on the risks associated with consuming food prepared by unlicensed vendors.
As health concerns continue to rise, Bulawayo residents can expect increased enforcement measures aimed at ensuring safe and hygienic food practices across the city.
Ward 28 Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu expressed concern over the rise of food vendors operating without proper health inspections, particularly in areas such as Cowdray Park. He highlighted that some individuals were selling food directly from their vehicles, disregarding basic hygiene standards. Ndlovu warned that this posed a serious risk to public health and called for urgent intervention from the local authority to enforce hygiene regulations.
He urged the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to take decisive action by intensifying health inspections, shutting down illegal food outlets, and ensuring compliance with hygiene regulations. He further called for law enforcement agencies to work closely with the city's health department to remove unregulated meat vendors operating in open spaces such as bus termini and markets. Ndlovu cautioned that failure to act could lead to outbreaks of diseases such as typhoid and cholera, endangering the lives of residents.
Ward 15 Councillor Ashton Mhlanga echoed these concerns, stating that the city council should provide more designated spaces for those in the food business. He emphasized that selling food on the streets posed significant health risks as vendors often lacked access to running water and other essential sanitation facilities. He also noted that illegal food outlets had degraded the city’s cleanliness, putting the health of the public at risk.
The issue was also raised by Ward 23 Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo during a recent council meeting. She pointed out that cooked food vendors were operating in large numbers at bus termini, urging the city council to establish properly regulated food outlets in strategic locations to improve public health and safety.
In response, BCC Assistant Director for Health Services (Environment) Charles Malaba said the council would engage residents and educate them on the risks associated with consuming food prepared by unlicensed vendors.
As health concerns continue to rise, Bulawayo residents can expect increased enforcement measures aimed at ensuring safe and hygienic food practices across the city.
Source - southern eye
