The City of Harare took action yesterday against bottle store operators in the Central Business District (CBD) who have been flouting regulations by staying open beyond permitted hours.
The rapid increase in the number of bottle stores in the CBD has caused concerns among residents, prompting the city authorities to intervene.
During an operation carried out in the evening, at least 12 bottle stores were penalized, each fined US$300 for remaining open past the 8pm curfew. The crackdown aimed to restore order in the city and address complaints from residents about the negative impact of these establishments.
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Stanley Gama, the City of Harare’s Corporate Communications Manager, who was present during the operation, emphasized the city’s commitment to enforcing the law.
“We won’t stand for disorder. Bottle store owners need to adhere to both national laws and municipal by-laws,” said Gama. “They are turning the CBD into chaos, and we will not allow this to continue. We have issued fines for operating beyond the stipulated 8pm closing time, and if they persist in breaking the law, their business licenses may be revoked. The era of ignoring the rules is over.”
Gama also revealed that some bottle stores are under investigation regarding how their trading licenses were obtained. “We have heard residents’ complaints about the proliferation of bottle stores in the city, including some operating without proper authorization, and we are determined to put a stop to this,” he added.
