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City launches blitz on illegal operators
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
November 08, 2006

http://www1.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=11148&cat=1&livedate=11/8/2006

THE City of Harare yesterday launched a blitz to close beerhalls, restaurants and lodges, which are either operating illegally or whose premises do not meet the required health standards.

The blitz, which started when a high-powered council delegation was touring the central business district to assess the progress made by the department of waste management in cleaning up sanitary lanes, saw the closure of Club Casa and Nyama Choma Restaurant at the corner of Sixth Street and Central Avenue.

Chairperson of the commission running the affairs of the City of Harare Ms Sekesayi Makwavarara led the delegation which included acting town clerk Dr Stanley Mungofa, strategist Dr Tendai Mahachi, acting director of waste management Mr Leslie Gwindi, public relations manager Mr Percy Toriro and other officials.

When the delegation arrived at both premises, Ms Makwavarara expressed her disgust with the poor hygienic standards and immediately summoned officials from the city health department to close them in her presence. Acting director of health services Dr Prosper Chonzi, who inspected the premises with other officials from his department, said they would continue with similar inspections of bars and restaurants in Harare.

"This is totally unacceptable and we are launching a serious blitz of beer halls, restaurants and bottle stores whose health standards are below expectation.

"We are going to immediately issue a closure order today for the premises," said Dr Chonzi.

Dr Chonzi said their inspection of the premises showed that the ventilation and drainage systems and lighting were sub-standard for business premises.

He said he seriously doubted if the buildings from which the two businesses were operating were even inspected during construction.

For example, Club Casa had one toilet while Nyama Choma had open drainage canals on the floors.

Ms Makwavarara and Dr Chonzi expressed concern over the manner in which some council employees in the licensing department were issuing licences to such businesses.

They hinted that a probe would soon be launched to look into what might be a serious scam in council.

"We are not going to tolerate that (businesses operating under such conditions). We urge similar businesses to close on their own before we catch up with them.

"On each tour we will be looking out for such restaurants and we will be moving around with inspectors from the health department," Ms Makwavarara said.

She said some of the lodges and restaurants were shut down during Operation Murambatsvina last year but have since resurfaced.

Mr Gwindi said businesses operating under such unhygienic conditions were responsible for waste management problems in the city as some of their patrons and customers end up throwing litter and relieving themselves in sanitary lanes.

Ms Makwavarara expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far in the cleaning-up of sanitary lanes and pledged council's full support for the department.

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