Briefs: Hwange council to regularise informal sector

By Sharon Sibindi | Mar. 3, 2024

Council chairperson, Morrison Mafa, said the local authority was in the process of constructing proper working spaces for the players in the sector for easy taxation.

HWANGE Local Board plans to regularise the informal sector as one of its plans to widen its revenue base.

Council chairperson, Morrison Mafa, said the local authority was in the process of constructing proper working spaces for the players in the sector for easy taxation.

Mafa admitted that the council had failed the sector by failing to provide safe working spaces for them.

“Continuously penalising them for working in undesignated places is not the best of solutions,” he said.

“Our failure to provide workspace and facilities for the ballooning informal economy has a negative impact on our revenue collection.

“We are continuously crying foul of low revenue collection while we aren’t making use of numerous strategies at our disposal to enhance our coffers.”

A number of Zimbabweans, employed and unemployed, are being forced into the informal sector to make ends meet due to the harsh economic climate.

In cities, street pavements have been taken over by informal traders selling all kinds of goods.