Acting director of the Bulawayo City Councils (BCC) Department of Health, Gladys Marape, noted that shop owners who are operating in dilapidated buildings were violating public health by-laws.
The health department will continue to visit unsatisfactory premises to ensure that they meet the health standards and those who fail to comply may be prosecuted while their businesses will be closed, she said.
A survey by The Zimbabwean reveals that most buildings have become an eyesore as they have not been maintained for decades.Some have various defects like damaged floors, broken windows with paint peeling off.
The countrys decade-long economic decline is blamed by business owners for their failure to maintain their premises. Shop owners interviewed confirmed that the buildings were needed to be repaired but cited financial constraints.
“Our buildings are in bad shape but the problem is that we are still struggling to revive our business since we are coming from an unstable economic environment, said Godknows Moyo, who runs a butchery in Magwegwe suburb.
Post published in: Economy