Chombo declares war on illegal vendors, kombis

via Chombo declares war on illegal vendors, kombis – NewsDay Zimbabwe February 5, 2015

LOCAL Government minister Ignatius Chombo yesterday declared war on illegal vendors who do not want to go to designated selling points.

Chombo said this in Harare during the launch of a clean-up campaign which was also attended by his Environment, Water and Climate counterpart. Saviour Kasukuwere and Harare Provincial Affairs minister Miriam Chikukwa.

Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba was also present.

Chombo said Harare City Council had tried in vain to have vendors go to designated sites. “Your associations have communicated this to you and it is with great concern that I have learnt that some of you have decided to take the law into their own hands by defying the directives,” he said.

“The time for action to ensure that all informal traders and kombi operators adhere to the city by-laws has come. I urge all of you to move to designated vending sites as well pick and drop points for kombis designated by the city council.

“There should be no vending on road pavements, traffic intersections, road islands, middle of the road and in front of shops and offices.”

Kasukuwere said the campaign marked the beginning of a collective effort to bring back Harare’s Sunshine City status.

“I warn all perpetrators of environmental offences that we will not be bystanders, but actors in bringing environmental sanity and there are no sacred cows in that regard. As a ministry, we will use all the environmental statutory provisions at our disposal to ensure that a clean, safe and healthy environment is attained,” he said.

Chinotimba pledged to clear garbage in Mbare where thousands of residents were being exposed to diseases.