Fire-brand Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala (MDC Alliance) on Tuesday warned Chitungwiza Municipality not to proceed with its plans to dismantle all informal businesses in the town as the actions will be met with violence.
This comes after Chitungwiza Municipality acting Town Clerk Evangelista Machona yesterday gave informal traders 72 hours to cease operations “along council and state roads servitude”.
However, Sikhala, who is the MDC Alliance vice-chairperson, warned Machona that the informal business operators will not accept the directive. Said Sikhala:
I have seen a statement released by Chitungwiza Municipality signed by one, Evangelista Machona, threatening violence and bloodbath against our people in Chitungwiza who are involved in lawful business as stupid, uninformed and scandalous.
Evangelista Machona and those who have sent her should know that we don’t take lightly threats to kill our people.
Threatening loss of life cannot go unnoticed. Openly declaring murder against our people will never be tolerated.
The people of Chitungwiza will organise themselves into cells to deck death threats. We are waiting for the municipality’s threats of loss of life with serious preparedness to protect our lives.
Sikhala said Machona’s statement was utter nonsense given how Chitungwiza Municipality has failed to offer residents decent service delivery.
Chitungwiza Town Council said it was targeting informal businesses such as car wash, motor vehicle sales, furniture making, vending markets among others.
The majority of Zimbabweans have resorted to informal trading for survival as employment opportunities in the country continue to dwindle worsened by a deteriorating economy.