Municipal Reporter
BEITBRIDGE businessman Samson Madzore’s lawyers Sithole Law Office have written to the Municipality of Beitbridge (MoB) demanding their client be issued with a licence for his Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) structure for MoB at Dulivhadzimu Bus Terminus.
The building, a line of well done shops facing the busy terminus, has no toilets nor wash basins and the licensing authorities, including MoB itself, have demanded one.
MoB’s engineering section drew the plans of the building, approved it and passed it for construction overlooking the need for toilets and hand wash basins, a pre-requisite of every shop.
Madzore, after what he claimed was a verbal arrangement with Engineer Douglas Siphuma, built a toilet on an open space along the building but the latter demolished it at night saying it was unapproved.
And here is the funny part, Madzore, who has been running the shop for two years now, will hand over the building to MoB after 15 years from the day he gets a licence.
It means he is running for free until MoB stops shooting itself in the feet.
Internal politics at MoB, confusion and open derelection of duty has stalled the process of his licencing.
Recently, Madzore was ticketted by Police for operating the shop without a licence which the MoB should issue.
His lawyers Sithole Law Office have frowned at the development expressed in a letter dated dated October 12 referenced “Formal request for the issuance and Release of Shop Operating Licences”.
“We act on behalf of Mr S Madzore, the proprietor of retail shop/ stand number 4676 Dulibadzimu Terminus Beitbridge. We write concerning the issuance of shop operating licenses. On several occasions the matter has been brought to the attention of your offices through verbal engagements and meetings which were conducted by Mr Madzore in his personal capacity. However, despite these engagements, the matter has not been resolved,” wrote Sithole.
“As a result, our client is now suffering serious operational challenges arising from the non-issuance of the requisite shop operating licenses. The police have commenced imposition of fines for operating without license, and even proceeded to close the affected shops. This situation is causing significant disruption of business operations”.
Sithole Law Office demanded “urgent intervention and a swift response”.
“Furthermore, pending the processing and issuance of the licenses, we request that the Council engage with the relevant police authorities to seek an interim arrangement whereby our client is not subjected to further fines or closure of shops solely on the basis of pending licenses,” Sithole Law Office demanded.
Town Clerk Loud Ramakgapola conceeded the plans were drawn by his office which overlooked the need for a toiletand handbasins for the shops.
“But we have asked Madzore to book for an inspection to get a certificate of occupancy and that is needed for a licence. They can use toilets at the bus terminus,” he said.
“I am not sure if he has done that,” said Ramakgapola.
Under the circumstances MoB is at loss because until the licence is issued the contract for the number of years Madzore will occupy before handing over cannot be triggered.