Zimpapers Logo

Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
Gweru City Council is reviewing and realigning its by-laws to curb serious loopholes in revenue generation and collection, Acting Town Clerk Mr Sam Sekenhamo has said.

Addressing a full council meeting recently, Mr Sekenhamo said some of the city’s by-laws were outdated.

“Council is reviewing all major by-laws such as those for fire, water, shop licensing, traffic and vending,” he said.

“The process should be done in the next quarter. Reviewing of fire by-laws has already started, the draft has been done and we expect the process to be completed in the second quarter of the year.

‘‘We are also pushing for the adoption of some new by-laws, especially for things such as push-carts. We need a comprehensive legal framework to incorporate and regulate them.”

Mr Sekenhamo said council was seeking to strengthen anti-litter laws to promote cleanliness and good hygiene.

“We are moving towards a smart city by 2030, hence we are strengthening by-laws that will punish residents who litter the streets and the environment, to complement Government’s national clean-up campaign programme,” he said.

Mr Sekenhamo said the authority was also worried about the loss of non-revenue water. “The most worrying element, however, is that of tampering with council’s water infrastructure,” he said.

“People are vandalising water hydrants and meters to access water for free. This is being done by people running illegal car washes that have sprouted around the Central Business District and suburbs.”

Mr Sekenhamo warned residents in the habit of connecting themselves to the council’s water mains or by-passing water meters that they would be prosecuted once the by-laws are passed.

“We are also drafting by-laws for pre-paid water meters that will obviously be supported by a comprehensive legal framework,” he said.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo recently told local authorities in Midlands province to enact by laws which are in sync with the national devolution agenda.