Beatrice Imbayago
BINDURA – Vendors, traders, property owners, and other operators occupying undesignated and unauthorised spaces in Bindura have expressed frustration after being given an ultimatum by the municipality to vacate these sites or face enforcement action.
The ultimatum to vacate the illegal workspaces by September 27 was issued by Bindura Municipality in a public notice dated September 25, as authorities intensify a national clean-up operation targeting illegal developments and unregulated trading activities in towns and cities.
This initiative coincides with the government’s nationwide campaign known as “Operation Chenesa.”
The operation aims to restore public safety, environmental integrity, order, and sustainable urban development by removing illegal structures and regulating vending in undesignated areas.
Denny, a vendor and Bindura resident, said the council’s move could increase drug abuse in the community, as many people may lose their livelihoods.
“These people are so inconsiderate. Vending has been a source of livelihood for most people in our area, and now that they are removing vendors, this will trigger drug and substance abuse due to stress,” he said.
Talent Bhavhu, another vendor, said they would not leave the streets until they have an alternative place to sell their goods.
“We are not going anywhere. We will resist until they provide us with a proper place to conduct our business, since this is our livelihood,” he said.
Another resident urged the municipality to speed up construction of the new marketplace.
“We appeal to the council to accelerate the construction of the vending mall so that we can sell our products peacefully,” she noted.
Supren Mutiwi, the Bindura Municipality Public Relations Officer, said the municipality had engaged a partner to help complete the Bindura Market.
“We engaged a contractor who is working around the clock with us, and we hope the market will be complete soon, as it is now 95 percent complete,” he said.
The exercise, conducted at a national level, targets people who have constructed structures without council approval, as well as vendors and traders operating from what the municipality describes as “undesignated, unauthorised, or illegal spaces.”
