Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has ordered all informal traders to acquire valid vendor licenses to legalise their operations and move to designated trading sites by February 9, 2024.
The local authority said informal traders who are not yet registered must do so so that they may be allocated formal trading places.
In a circular, Bulawayo Town Clerk, Christopher Dube, said the informal traders must heed the call as the local authority is moving to restore order and cleanliness in the city.
“The City of Bulawayo in consultation with the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution would like to advise members of the public, stakeholders and members of the informal sector of the deadline for the movement from undesignated trading sites. The City of Bulawayo has a mandate to restore order as guided by the Urban Councils (Model)(Hawkers and Street Vendors) By–Laws,” Dube said.
“All illegal informal traders are warned and advised to move to designated sites no later than Friday, 9 February 2024. Registered informal traders who have abandoned their bays and/or are not paying the required Council fees are advised to return to their bays and regularise their operations.”
Dube said those who wish to register can go to Dugmore Vending Offices, the former Dugmore Clinic, along Basch Street and 6th Avenue.
“Application fees are as follows: Central Business District Licence Fees are $23 per year and the monthly rentals are $11.50 per month. For those operating outside the Central Business District, licences are $11.50 per year and the monthly rates are $5.75 per month.
“The application requirements are copy of Identity Document (ID), processed fingerprint forms vetted by CID, proof of residence for a property in Bulawayo in the form of a water or electricity bill, two passport size photos and the requisite fees for the license. For those trading in Fruits and vegetables, pre-examination for contagious diseases and lessons on food handling with the City of Bulawayo Health Services Department, Khami Road Clinic.”
Dube reiterated that all those operating illegal services in the city will have until the set deadline to legalise their operations.
“All persons conducting unauthorised informal trading on undesignated sites in the City of Bulawayo (on the streets, pavements, roadways), washing of cars, repairing of vehicles, illegal pickup points by private vehicles, commuter omnibuses and buses, delivery of farm produce and other products onto the streets, pushcarts, heavy commercial vehicles into the Central Business District, illegal throwing and dumping of garbage or litter etc. are given up to Friday, 9 February 2024 to cease their Illegal activities,” he said.
“The City of Bulawayo will be conducting an exercise to eliminate all Illegal activities to restore order and cleanliness. All informal traders are required to keep the City Clean by ensuring that their trading places are cleaned after trading hours and are further advised that the full force of the law will be implemented against those who continue to breach the relevant bylaws, both immediately, after the deadline and going forward.”
