The Harare City Council reportedly collected only US$100 in licence fees from tuckshop owners in residential areas over six months.
This was said by Harare City Council’s acting revenue collection manager, Alfred Guni when he appeared before the Commission of Inquiry, which is probing the operations of Harare City Council since 2017, chaired by retired Justice Maphios Cheda.
He said from April to September 2024, the City Council recorded only US$100 from tuckshops located in residential areas.
The paltry revenue collected from tuckshops raises suspicions of massive corruption within the council, given that almost every street in high-density residential areas has several tuckshops. Said Guni:
<blockquote>
The revenue from tuckshops in residential areas is collected by our market officers, who go around to gather these funds.
If we collect as little as US$100, it indicates a failure on the part of those designated to collect the funds.
This level of performance is concerning, given the number of tuckshops around the city.
</blockquote>
Guni conceded that the City Council is grappling with revenue leakages due to corrupt officials. He said:
<blockquote>
I would not confirm that the City Council owns tuckshops but it licenses privately owned tuckshops but what it owns are commercial buildings that are available for rental to the public.
The City made a resolution to collect tuckshop fees from those we see in our residential areas as long as they are compliant with the building inspectorate laws.
That figure does not mean nothing came but it is a percentage of a huge figure. What it means is that we are getting very low income.
</blockquote>
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The Harare City Council only collected $100 in fees from tuckshop owners in residential areas in six months. This is a very small amount of money. The council suspects corruption because there are many tuckshops in the city, but they are not collecting enough money from them. The council's revenue manager said they have problems with corrupt officials causing money to be lost. They need to fix this problem to collect more money from tuckshops.

Shock As Harare Council Collects Only $100 In Tuckshop Licence Fees Over Six Months

The Harare City Council is blaming building owners for the influx of tuckshops in the central business district (CBD). The local government authority says business owners are illegally renting their buildings out to foreigners.
Street vendors and tuckshop traders are thriving, posing a threat to traditional supermarkets. The retail space is now dominated by foreigners, including Indians, Chinese, Pakistanis, Nigerians, Malawians, and Tanzanians.
The HCC small to medium enterprises committee chairperson <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Denford_Ngadziore/">Denford Ngadziore</a> said the city fathers have an SME policy which has not been followed. He told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200017849/inside-supermarkets-tuckshops-war">NewsDay</a>:
<blockquote>
We know that most tuckshops are operated by foreigners which is against the law. Council has no power to come between business partners but building owners are renting out their buildings to foreigners who in turn convert them to retail shops.
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The influx of tuckshops has led to lower prices and increased competition, benefiting consumers. Tuckshops can offer lower prices due to lower overhead costs, sourcing products directly from wholesalers, and flexible pricing. However, big supermarket operators complain of unfair competition, citing tax evasion and informal trading practices.
Finance Secretary <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/George_Guvamatanga/">George Guvamatanga</a> questioned the validity of big retailers’ complaints about being unable to compete with tuckshops. He pointed out that tuckshops pay higher rentals, operate with cash purchases, and lack access to cheaper foreign currency, suggesting other factors may be affecting formal retailers.
Renowned economist <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Gift_Mugano/">Gift Mugano</a> responded to Guvamatanga’s remarks and acknowledged that supermarkets have legitimate concerns. He attributed the high prices of goods in supermarkets to the exchange rate disparities between formal and parallel markets. Mugano said:
<blockquote>
Your ministry liberalised the imports for about 11 products. These commodities are coming through duty free and VAT-free. Tuckshops are importing these commodities, whilst our supermarkets procure the very same commodities locally — a position that is economically and morally sound aimed at fostering job creation and local content.
</blockquote>
Mugano also highlighted the compliance burdens faced by formal businesses, including taxes, levies, rentals, and salary payments. He emphasised that exchange rate fluctuations and inflation have negatively impacted formal businesses’ capital and cash flows. While the informal sector can sell in US dollars, formal businesses must comply with the law, which Mugano believes is appropriate.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Harare City Council Accuses Building Owners Of Illegally Renting Tuckshops To Foreigners

Hundreds of people filled the streets in Mucheke suburb, Masvingo on Thursday morning when Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officers brought Tafadzwa Kanengoni alias “Soda Water” who was arrested in connection with the murder of a popular tuckshop owner at Sisk business centre recently.
The people wanted to lay their hands on the tattooed Kanengoni as he arrived under heavy Police escort at the scene of the crime along Kaguvi Street, Mucheke B Masvingo for indications.
Michael Munhungowarwa (41) was shot and killed on Saturday evening as he and his wife were closing their tuckshop.
The robbers went away with an undisclosed amount of money after killing the businessman.
Reports suggest Kanengoni was arrested at a girlfriend’s place in Zvishavane.
ZRP spokesperson in Masvingo Province Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the story.
He added that investigations were in progress and full details will be given later. | <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/hordes-swarm-streets-as-tuckshop-owner-killer-is-arrested%ef%bf%bc-2/">The Mirror</a>

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