COUNCILLORS in Bulawayo have called on the local authority's executive to be tough on people selling expired food on the streets, arguing that it poses a health hazard to the residents.
This was revealed by the Health, Housing and Education Committee during a recent full council meeting, where councillors expressed concern over illegal food vending in the city.
According to the report, councillor Agnes Munsaka bemoaned that illegal vending of food and meat products was taking place everywhere in the city.
“Summer is fast approaching and temperatures can rise. Some of the meat products need refrigeration. Lack of refrigeration can lead to food poisoning,” she said, adding that council should intensify law enforcement.
Councillor Dumisani Netha concurred saying a lot of expired food is being sold by illegal vendors.
“Most of these food products were purchased in South Africa. These food products are sold at very cheap prices. This is not health to the residents,” he said.
“Council should ban the sale of expired food and food products on the streets.”
In her contribution, councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo called on central government to be strict at the country’s borders to prevent the importation of large quantities of food items nearing expiry.
- Travelling & touring: Gandavaroyi Falls: Tourism’s hanging fruit
- Young authors on being single
- Travelling & touring: Gandavaroyi Falls: Tourism’s hanging fruit
- Robbers pounce on Mukuru in Bulawayo
Keep Reading
“Council will continue to engage other stakeholders to eradicate illegal vending activities in the city,” she said.
“Residents are calling for a clean city and a smart central business district.”
Meanwhile, councillor Perseverance Nyathi suggested that the landfill at Richmond should be fenced to avoid intrusion.
“All the residents involved in picking up materials for recycling should be registered with council. This will provide enough security and accountability for fire outbreaks at the landfill,” Nyathi said.
Councillors said action must be taken to prevent an outbreak of rabies.
Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu was of the view that the tie-up order had not delivered intended results.
“Only 40 dogs have been euthanised, we want to know why only a small number of dogs was euthanised compared to a large population of stray dogs in the city,” Ndlovu said.
The report also indicated that the city was facing a growing challenge of stray cats.
“The cat population is increasing and efforts should be made to reduce them,” Ndlovu said.
“The tie-up order should also involve the euthanisation of cats and should involve all stakeholders.”
However, deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu highlighted that a tie-up order is only in place for 10 days.
“A total of 76 stray dogs were euthanised. The city will continue to enforce the tie-up order to prevent an outbreak of rabies,” he said.
