Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The City of Harare has rolled out one of its most sweeping enforcement operations in recent years, shutting down 1 830 businesses in the Central Business District (CBD) as part of a “controversial” clean-up drive.
Authorities say the exercise is aimed at “restoring order” and enforcing municipal by-laws, but it has left thousands of employees and business owners reeling. A communique from council warned:
We continue to urge businesspeople and building owners in the CBD to immediately regularise their operations with the city to ensure total compliance.
The latest figures show:
1 471 businesses operating without licenses
534 buildings in arrears with council
609 properties running without approved plans
744 structures lacking subdivision permits
81 buildings cut off from water supplies
125 buildings found with expired fire extinguishers
Acting Town Clerk, Engineer Phakamile Mabhena Moyo, defended the clampdown, stressing the link between compliance and service delivery:
I set a collection target of at least 70 percent of the potential revenue. I call upon all of you to reflect on how we can improve our revenue collection so that we achieve this ambitious target.
Moyo further warned that the blitz will not stop at the CBD. “The enforcement drive is city-wide, including industrial areas,” he said.
While council insists inspections will continue until “every business and building owner meets legal and safety standards,” critics argue the sudden closures could choke a fragile economy already battling high unemployment and inflation.
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