Municipal Correspondent
A TOTAL of 2 475 illegal businesses have been affected and 1 137 illegal structures removed since the launch of Operation Chenesa Final in Harare, with authorities yesterday stepping up a crackdown on illegal vending and structures across the capital.
The figures are contained in the latest Situation Report on Operation Chenesa, compiled by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, which said the operation remained focused on restoring order and improving public safety in the city.
The Ministry said the operation, launched on September 9, was aimed at restoring order in the capital.
“The operation is aimed at restoring public safety, environmental integrity, order, and sustainable urban development through the removal of illegal structures and regulation of vending in undesignated areas,” reads the statement.
Further, the statement noted that the operation sought to “make the city healthier and safer by promoting cleanliness, environmental protection, and sustainable land use”.
Yesterday, 255 illegal businesses were affected, including 201 vending activities, 20 clothes-selling businesses, 11 snooker businesses, four furniture businesses, four tyre businesses and one car wash.
A further 54 illegal structures were removed, bringing the cumulative total to 1 137.
These included 36 billboards, nine wood and metal structures, four vending stalls and six gazebos, among other structures.
The Ministry said yesterday’s operation covered Borrowdale Road, First and Fourth Streets in the CBD, Kirkman, Harare Drive, Sherwood, Helensvale, the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Fifth Street, Ruzende and Mabelreign shops.
It said the operations were conducted “with a focus on clearing undesignated vending sites and enforcing relevant municipal by-laws to promote orderly urban management and compliance”.
The crackdown has also seen 32 arrests made, 148 verbal warnings issued and 239 fines imposed, with the fines amounting to US$2 570.
Yesterday’s operation involved 141 personnel, comprising 40 Civil Protection members, 74 City of Harare municipal police officers, six local authority personnel and 21 general hands.
The team was supported by 20 vehicles and pieces of equipment, including six tipper trucks, two front-end loaders, seven lorries, one tow truck and four roving cars.
The Ministry said continued enforcement would be necessary to prevent traders from returning to areas that had already been cleared.
“Continued enforcement and monitoring remain necessary to prevent the re-occupation of cleared road verges and other public spaces,” it said.
At the same time, the Ministry called for dialogue with affected traders, saying: “Sustained dialogue, public awareness, and engagement with vendors are essential to promote compliance and facilitate its relocation to authorised municipal markets.”
The Ministry also recommended permanent joint monitoring teams at newly cleared areas, faster preparation of authorised alternative vending markets and intensified public awareness campaigns on municipal by-laws and public health standards.
“Accelerate infrastructural readiness at authorised alternative vending markets to absorb displaced traders,” the Ministry said.
Operation Chenesa remains ongoing, with the Ministry saying joint task force teams are conducting “daily deployments across targeted areas in Harare”.
It said the Ministry and City of Harare “remain committed to public safety, environmental integrity, and orderly urban development as the operation continues to expand”.
Source: 2 475 illegal businesses hit as Chenesa crackdown intensifies – herald
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