HARARE - Harare City Council has dropped plans to open butcheries across the city, claiming the move will drive private players out of business.

The city had last year resolved to boost its low revenue base by getting into the butchery business which was supposed to be complemented by council farms holding more than 3 000 beasts.

Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda says council, in a Good Samaritan move, has realised that small-scale butchery owners already struggling under a harsh operating climate will be forced to close shop.

“Opening butcheries would create unfair competition to butcheries that do not have the stock that we have,” said Masunda during a recent full council meeting.

So instead of opening butcheries, the authority will put 700 beasts under the hammer.
 
The money from the public auction is earmarked to rehabilitate irrigation and effluent storage systems at council farms, Masunda said. - Wendy Muperi