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Municipal Reporter
Harare City Council is battling to control illegal vendors in the central business district with some selling roasted maize cobs, barely months after the city uprooted some plants that had been planted.

The maize was planted at the corner of First Street Mall and Speke Avenue in clear disregard of the city by-laws.

While the owner of the maize plants could not be immediately established, the council staff took ages to slash it.

As the menace continues, at around 7.30am this morning, our crew spotted an illegal vendor selling the roasted maize at a pedestrian crossing line at the corner of Jason Moyo Avenue and Cameroon Street.

Another roasted maize cob vendor has established base at the new passport offices along Leopold Takawira Street.

Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Innocent Ruwende said an operation was on the cards to deal with vendor menace.

“We have organised a joint operation for illegal activities in the CBD which include vending which is becoming a menace in the city. The operation is meant to clean up the city.

“Our manpower was mainly concentrated along Fife Avenue Shopping Centre but we are now shifting emphasis to the CBD. We expect all illegal activities to stop forthwith. We are currently mobilising resources towards the exercise,” he said.