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Mash West Bureau
ILLEGAL vendors and pirate taxis operating in Chinhoyi have resurfaced, mushrooming in the Central Business District, barely a week after most of them had complied. Chinhoyi municipality seems to be reluctant to deal decisively with the vendors and illegal pirate taxi menace, amid allegations that some council law enforcement agents were benefiting from the illicit deals.

A snap survey carried out by The Herald over the past few days witnessed pirate taxis still plying their usual routes, while scores of vendors were selling their wares at undesignated points undisturbed. The local authority gave vendors an ultimatum last month to clear the streets as they have been setting up stalls along pavements in the city centre, affecting the ambience of the town.

The subsequent blitz launched on October 22 took just a few days and stopped. Chinhoyi acting public relations officer Mr Tichaona Mlauzi said there was general consensus between town authorities and the vendors on the need to maintain order.

“We have talked to the vendors and agreed that they would be off the streets. We do not foresee any challenges since we engaged the vendors and kept the door open for those who had not been designated places to approach our housing department,” said Mr Mlauzi.

The ongoing blitz to remove vendors in Chinhoyi’s CBD had started on a good note last month when the city processed 40 new applications from vendors. Chinhoyi Residents Association chairperson Mr Peter Liwande welcomed the idea of relocation of vendors to designated places.

“People are being given alternative places to work from and that ensures that they continue to provide for their families,” he said.