Breaking: October 30 Deadline for Illegal Vendors in Chinhoyi

The Municipality of Chinhoyi has ordered vendors operating from unauthorised sites and owners of illegal structures to vacate or remove their installations by October 30, warning that council will take action against those who ignore the deadline.

The notice forms part of efforts to regulate informal trading, clear unauthorised developments and improve cleanliness across the city.

Council said the directive applies to vendors trading outside approved areas, as well as owners of illegal stalls and other structures in the central business district (CBD), shopping centres and along major roads.

Those affected have been instructed to remove their structures before the deadline, failing which the municipality will assist in dismantling them.

The enforcement programme will cover several locations, including the CBD, the Chegutu and Harare-Chirundu highways, Coldstream Shopping Centre in Mzimba, Mzari Shopping Centre in Mbogo, Gadzema, Hunyani, Brundish, Cherima, Rusununguko, Pfungwadzakanaka, Ruvimbo, Rujeko and St Ives shopping centres.

Other areas listed in the notice include Alaska and Shackleton.

The exercise will also target cabins, tuckshops and other buildings that do not comply with prescribed standards, roadside and residential garages, illegal parking within municipal ranks, parking on unauthorised open spaces, abandoned vehicles and developments that violate planning regulations.

Vendors and hawkers operating from undesignated sites have been encouraged to visit the relevant municipal offices to regularise their operations and register for approved vending spaces.

The municipality said the initiative was aimed at bringing informal trading under control and addressing the growing number of structures and business activities operating outside authorised locations.

Council has urged traders and residents to comply with the October 30 deadline as it moves to restore order and improve cleanliness throughout Chinhoyi.