CITY of Bulawayo officials recently seized 1,5 tonnes of elephant meat as council intensifies enforcement action against non-compliant businesses.
In the blitz, council issued 66 intimations, 66 tickets and condemned large quantities of unwholesome food during a sweeping inspection that covered 1 715 premises across the city.
Health services director Edwin Mzingwane Sibanda told a full council meeting recently that routine inspections targeted compliance with licensing laws, food safety standards and environmental health regulations, with additional monitoring conducted during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2026.
According to the latest full council meeting report, inspectors were deployed to food outlets, supermarkets, butcheries, hardware shops, salons, restaurants and informal trading points across the city, focusing on identifying illegal operations and unsafe food handling practices.
“Enforcement action included issuing intimations for regulatory breaches, imposing deposit fines, and confiscating or condemning unsafe food items,” the report read.
The report also shows that most violations involved operating without valid shop licences or registration certificates, poor hygiene standards and unsafe food preparation practices.
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Several food outlets were cited for serious public health risks, including lack of hot water in butcheries, inadequate sanitation facilities and unsafe structural conditions where food preparation areas were directly linked to toilets.
Illegal operations were also recorded in residential and commercial zones, with some businesses operating without council approval or required health certification.
The inspection exercise also uncovered significant quantities of expired and contaminated food products, which were condemned by health inspectors.
These included dented and bulging canned goods, expired beverages, mould-infested products and improperly stored meat.
In one case, 1 500 kilogrammes of elephant meat was found rotten and declared unfit for human consumption.
Council health officials also flagged cases of re-packaged cooking oil stored in unsafe containers and illegal food packaging operations.
The department also responded to multiple public complaints involving illegal butcheries, unlicensed bottle stores, environmental pollution and unsafe residential practices.
Some cases resulted in immediate enforcement action, including closure of illegal premises and issuance of fines, while others were referred to relevant council departments for follow-up.
An interdepartmental enforcement blitz is being planned to address rising cases of illegal butcheries and unlicensed food businesses, particularly in high-density suburbs.
Commenting on the findings, Sibanda emphasised the importance of compliance to protect public health.
“Routine inspections are essential to ensure that all food outlets and businesses operate within the required health and safety standards.
“Where non-compliance is detected, enforcement action is taken without compromise,” the report noted.
Health authorities said follow-up inspections would continue across all suburbs, focusing on high-risk areas where repeated violations were recorded.
The department reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that all trading premises meet minimum legal and hygiene standards.