Gov’t denies driving vendors off the streets
Mompati Tlhankane | Tuesday December 13, 2022 06:00
Responding to a question in Parliament recently, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse revealed that during March and April, the GCC launched a campaign that only targeted the removal of abandoned and dilapidated structures that had become an eyesore and were hiding spots for criminal activities.
He also emphasised that the City Council is not planning to remove structures set up by vendors, but rather encourage them to facelift their business space to make it attractive to customers.
“This exercise is done in consultation and conjunction with the informal sector, duly represented by its association, Thusanang Bagwebi, to identify the abandoned and dilapidated structures around the city.
GCC will not remove or disturb operations of the informal sector businesses. It is my ministry's commitment to ensure that the informal sector operates within a conducive environment for sustainable livelihoods, especially at a time government has intensified efforts on value-chain development to build resilient, inclusive and sustainable local economies,” he highlighted.
Gaborone North Member of Parliament (MP), Mpho Balopi had asked if Autlwetse was aware that the GCC occasionally removes structures set up by vendors despite the President's pronouncement that councils should allow the vendors to operate and then regularisation would follow later. Balopi also asked if the minister does not consider the move to be detrimental to the livelihoods that have already been negatively impacted by an economic depression that has lasted for over two years.
Furthermore, in response to Balopi’s questions, Autlwetse pointed out that in line with government’s commitment to develop Gaborone City to unlock its full potential and make it competitive, GCC is expected to come up with strategies to keep it clean, safer and habitable. “In addition, GCC is mandated to ensure that the informal sector operates within a clean and safe environment.
It is against this backdrop that the GCC occasionally embarks on cleanup campaigns around the city to maintain its cleanliness," Autlwetse said.