HARARE - Harare City Council is moving to demolish 150 illegal cars sales and billboards after invoking its by-laws.

In a statement published yesterday, town clerk Tendai Mahachi said the cash-strapped municipality was now cracking down on the illegal entities.

“Following notices served on illegal car sales owners and operators in terms of Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, the City of Harare will now be proceeding with the enforcement as provided for in the above cited Act and statutory instrument with immediate effect,” read Mahachi’s notice in the press.

Last week, Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo directed council to pull down all illegal billboards which he said constituted 50 percent.

The local authority two months ago tried to close these car sales, but the matter turned political with Zanu PF youths threatening violence on council employees.

Jim Kunaka, Zanu PF Harare province youth chairperson, described the move as “anti-people” forcing council to back down on the operation.

Chombo gave council up to December 31 to clean up the mess currently bedevilling the capital city.

With Chombo now backing the clean up exercise, the local authority could have it easy.

Chombo’s directive came after findings by a probe team he constituted to investigate procurement issues at Town House.

The Ellen Chivaviro-headed probe team claimed that there are 200 car sales in Harare with only 47 of them having lease agreements with council.

Of the 47 car sales, only three have met standards set out under the Regional Town Planning Act.

Chombo gave the local authority up to December 20 to have names of those car sales operating legally known. - Xolisani Ncube