Chitungwiza Town Council has defended its decision to stop the operations of a feeding scheme that has been providing food for vulnerable residents since the commencement of the coronavirus lockdown.
The feeding programme is being run by Samantha Murozoki and it has now been suspended after the municipality said it did not meet council requirements.
In a statement, Town Clerk Tonderai Kasu said while the council appreciated Murokozi’s efforts, the programme had been halted because of genuine concerns that it did not meet public health and public safety regulations. Said Kasu:
As a local authority, we appreciate her efforts and her noble intentions during these trying and difficult times for the community. We would like to thank Ms Samantha Murozoki for the love and care that she has displayed for the affected members of the community when the nation is currently under lockdown.
However, the order to cease operations was made on the basis of some genuine and legitimate concerns with respect to public health and public safety.
For a start, her operations were not registered with the council in accordance with the Chitungwiza Urban Council By-laws 1981 part II section 6 and she did not have a municipal license for the operations she was conducting.
An inspection was done by our City Health Department which revealed that her premises were unsuitable and fell short of the standards with respect to the requirements of municipal licensing of premises where such work is carried out…