Harare City Council is considering suing the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for invading an open space near the Harare Central Police station and converting it into a flea market that has since been approved by Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri.
Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda said the city would first attempt to resolve the impasse amicably with ZRP, failure of which court action will be sought.
The issues over the designated use of the public car park near Harare Central Police Station will be resolved civilly in accordance with the provisions of the town planning laws as read with the ancillary regulations thereto, Masunda said.
In the unlikely event that any matter remains unresolved, the Administrative Court and the Supreme Court are there as ultimate backstop.
The city council was taken aback by the alleged invasion of the market by the police and Chihuris claims that the open space belonged to the police.
Ironically, council and police last year embarked on a joint operation to rid the city of illegal flea markets, unregistered shops and vehicles, among other illegal activities.
The operation has seen illegal vendors being arrested and unregistered vehicles being impounded.
