BCC bans pushcarts in CBD

Source: BCC bans pushcarts in CBD – The Southern Eye

GOVERNMENT has approved Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s clamping and tow-away by-laws, which criminalise use of pushcarts in the central business district (CBD), among other crimes.

Local Government and Public Works minister Winston Chitando said the by-laws had been amended via Statutory Instrument (SI) 220 of 2023 City of Bulawayo (Clamping and Tow-away) By-laws.

According to the SI, pushcarts will no longer be allowed in the CBD in the area bounded by Naison Kutshwekhaya Ndlovu Avenue, Lobengula Street, Joseph Msika Avenue and Robert Mugabe Way.

Those caught offside will be fined and their pushcarts impounded.

“Vehicles or motor vehicles in a dirty and filthy state not displaying valid licence discs will be immediately removed from the road or any area under the jurisdiction of the owner at a cost to the owner,” the SI read.

“Payment of the prescribed penalty, tow-away and storage fees shall be made to the council financial services department, at Revenue Hall, or any authorised person who shall issue a miscellaneous receipt together with the duplicate of the ticket as proof of payment.”

According to the approved by-laws, any person who unlawfully attempts to remove, remove, or cause to be removed a wheel clamp or unlawfully attempts to remove or cause to be removed a motor vehicle from a secure compound would be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 3 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or to both such a fine and imprisonment.

The laws empower the council to sell by public auction any unclaimed vehicle 30 days after a notice is published in any newspaper.

“Council shall deduct charges specified in the schedule from the proceeds of the sale of the motor vehicle, and any balance shall be paid to the owner upon written request within 30 days from the date such request is submitted,” the SI further read.

“Council shall operate a special account into which money realised from the sale of unclaimed vehicles shall be deposited. Any money not claimed within one year after the sale of the motor vehicle shall be forfeited to the council.”