Cash strapped City of Gweru has threatened to confiscate all mobile kitchens dotted around the city.
In a statement issued today, which this publication is in possession of, the local has decreed that those who fail to comply with the order will leave the council with no option other than to confiscate the mobile kitchens.
For years, mobile kitchens have been a lifeline for many residents, providing affordable and convenient food options. However, the council has deemed these operations illegal, citing unspecified regulations.
“City of Gweru are required to remove them immediately. These caravans are operating illegally and failure to comply will result in council confiscating them,” reads the statement.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) director, Cornelia Selipiwe, has weighed in on the issue, calling for a more nuanced approach.”It’s always good for local authorities to put order in the places of their jurisdiction, but there must be a plan to remove and legalize these things properly rather than to issue a statement that they are now destroying because this is where people are getting their money to survive, pay bills and all,” said Selipiwe.
He emphasized the need for the local authority to come up with strategies to legalize the caravans, allowing both sides to benefit from revenue collection.”As residents association, we need to see the local authority coming up with strategies to legalize the caravans so that both sides will benefit when revenue is collected,” he added.
Residents have also expressed their discontent with the council’s decision, citing the potential loss of livelihoods and the lack of alternative solutions.”I have no other source of income, If I remove my caravan, I will have nothing to feed my family,” said Kudakwashe chitombo one of the operators.
As the deadline looms, owners are scrambling to find alternative solutions, but options are limited.”We are not opposed to regulation, but we need support and guidance, not confiscation,” said another operator.
The owners of these mobile kitchens are largely Mobile Kitchen operators face uncatain future as council cracks down traders who have turned to this venture as a means of survival in a harsh economic environment. With unemployment rates soaring, many have seen this as an opportunity to eke out a living.
