Council postpones Operation Hlanzeka to give traders more time to relocate

The City of Bulawayo has postponed the implementation of Operation Hlanzeka, which targets informal traders and illegal structures, following calls for further engagement with affected businesses.

The operation, which was scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 1, has been suspended with immediate effect and is expected to resume in two weeks.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, Town Clerk Christopher Dube said the postponement would allow the local authority to engage stakeholders before proceeding with the operation.

“The City of Bulawayo as a listening local authority is facilitating further engagement of all concerned stakeholders,” the notice said.

The postponement also gives informal traders operating in undesignated areas more time to relocate their businesses to approved trading sites, remove illegal structures and move their goods.

The operation targets micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating from undesignated locations, including road servitudes, parking bays and pavements.

The council said it recognised the contribution of small businesses to livelihoods but maintained that trading from unauthorised spaces would not be permitted.

“The City of Bulawayo would like to emphasise that, while it values the role played by MSMEs in supporting livelihoods, trading from undesignated places such as road servitudes, parking bays and pavements is not allowed,” the notice said.

The local authority urged affected businesses to use the postponement period to comply with municipal by-laws and move their operations to designated trading areas.

“We urge all affected MSMEs to co-operate with the authorities during this transition period to ensure a smooth relocation process,” the notice said.

The postponement follows concerns over the impact of enforcement measures on informal traders, many of whom depend on street trading for their livelihoods.

The council said affected traders could seek clarification and assistance from its Town Planning Department’s MSMEs section at the 9th Tower Block Offices.