Harare City Council (HCC) has expressed concern over the invasion of the Fourth Street Bus Terminus by space barons who are creating an illegal market.
In a notice seen by Pindula News, the local government authority urged members of the public not to pay anyone to use the tables on “the illegal market.” Reads the notice:
Council has noted with concern the invasion of Fourth Street Bus Terminus by space barons who are creating an illegal market.
The City is urging the space barons to remove their shacks before Council moves in to assist.
By this notice members of the public and vendors are being urged not to pay anyone to use tables on the illegal market.
Only council officials are mandated to allocate vending spaces.
Council recognizes the important role played by the informal sector in the national economy especially during this period when our country is facing macro-economic challenges.
We accept that the informal sector is critical in income generation but there is need to balance that with order and compliance with by-laws.
Harare City Council is reportedly losing millions of dollars in revenue to space barons who are collecting revenue from vendors at the city council’s vending sites.
Reports say vendors are allocated vending stalls by Zanu PF officials, especially under Chipangano and are paying fees to these space barons.