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Government has ordered urban local authorities to phase out caravan food traders

Marvelous Moyo Business Correspondent
THE government has ordered urban local authorities in the country to phase out caravan food traders by next year citing health reasons. The move could spark anxiety and render jobless hundreds of people who earn a living through operating these mobile food services.

The issue came out during a recent Gwanda Municipality budget consultative meeting attended by the business community.

During the meeting, restaurant and fast food outlet owners complained that caravan operators were a threat to their businesses as they sold food at cheaper prices.

In response, town treasurer Xolani Dube said the government had issued an order for the elimination of caravans.

“We were given a directive by the government to phase them (caravans) out. When their leases expire, we’re not going to renew them. Here in Gwanda we’ve already served businesspeople operating caravans with letters notifying them about the issue,” he told the gathering.

“This will not affect Gwanda only because we agreed on the issue as 33 local authorities.”

An official from the environmental office who declined to be named said the government cited health concerns over caravan food sales.

Caravans were introduced as a stop gap measure in areas without restaurants and most of them are found at bus termini, near social and sporting centres.

In Bulawayo most caravans operate at Renkini, Nkulumane and Entumbane long distance bus termini.

Several others are found at Egodini terminus, Kelvin and Belmont industrial areas.

Restaurant owners in Gwanda also complained over the sprouting of “plastic bag” food traders and accused council of turning a blind eye to such unregistered operators.

“We’ve noted with concern that there are some people moving from place to place, one office to another, around the town selling food, which they carry in plastic bags,” bellowed one participant from the floor.

“They sell the same food we have in our restaurants at half the price because they don’t have many expenses like us.

“We pay for licences, rentals, electricity and water bills. Council has a duty to protect us but you’re not doing that hence lots of businesses operate without licences.”

Another local businessman, Patrick Mnkandla, expressed concern over the unregulated growth of taxi businesses in the town.

He said the municipality should have a stipulated number of taxis that should operate.

“As the municipality you need to have proper planning which I think is lacking at the moment. We can’t have everyone in Gwanda operating a taxi business. You should encourage people to venture into other business activities,” said Mnkandla.