WASHINGTON —
The relocation of 800 vendors and transport operators at Bulawayo’s biggest bus terminus, popularly known as Egodini, hangs in the balance with indications that the local authority has not yet found a suitable place for them.
The vendors and kombi operators were given up to December 31 to vacate the terminus to pave way for the construction of a $56 million regional transit and shopping complex. The state-of-the-art complex is expected to be built by a South African firm, Tearracota (Pvt) Limited, starting January 12.
With just four days to go, the council appears to be struggling to relocate those affected to suitable places around the central business district.
A Bulawayo woman, Loveness Ndlovu who identified herself as a sister of a vendor at the Basch Street Terminus, said the future looks bleak for Egodini vendors and kombi operators.
"It appears as if the council is failing to find suitable places for relocating the vendors and kombi operators. Everyone is very angry because they will end up losing a lot of money if they leave that place," said Ndlovu.
City mayor, Martin Moyo, was not available for comment as his phone was not being unanswered.
But former Bulawayo deputy mayor, Amen Mpofu, said the city council deadline to relocate the vendors and kombi operators should be extended, if necessary.
"That deadline is not cast in stone and therefore the council should extend it if there is any pressing need," said Mpofu.
The vendors and kombi operators were given up to December 31 to vacate the terminus to pave way for the construction of a $56 million regional transit and shopping complex. The state-of-the-art complex is expected to be built by a South African firm, Tearracota (Pvt) Limited, starting January 12.
With just four days to go, the council appears to be struggling to relocate those affected to suitable places around the central business district.
A Bulawayo woman, Loveness Ndlovu who identified herself as a sister of a vendor at the Basch Street Terminus, said the future looks bleak for Egodini vendors and kombi operators.
"It appears as if the council is failing to find suitable places for relocating the vendors and kombi operators. Everyone is very angry because they will end up losing a lot of money if they leave that place," said Ndlovu.
City mayor, Martin Moyo, was not available for comment as his phone was not being unanswered.
But former Bulawayo deputy mayor, Amen Mpofu, said the city council deadline to relocate the vendors and kombi operators should be extended, if necessary.
"That deadline is not cast in stone and therefore the council should extend it if there is any pressing need," said Mpofu.