ZTA closes Sis Bee’s Kitchen

Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]

ONE of Bulawayo’s well-known eateries, Sis Bee’s Kitchen, has been closed by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) in terms of the Tourism Act [Chapter 14:20].

A ZTA notice pasted on the door of the Sis Bee’s Kitchen outlet at Parkade Centre confirms the closure.

“This designated tourist facility has been closed by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority in terms of the Tourism Act 1996 (Chapter 14:20), by order of the chief executive officer,” reads the notice.

The closure is provided for under Section 43 of the Act, which deals with the cancellation of the registration of designated tourist facilities.

The section empowers the ZTA Board to notify an operator where a registered tourist facility has failed to comply with prescribed registration requirements and give the operator a reasonable period within which to rectify the breach.

The operator may make written representations to the Board before the expiry of the specified period.

If the requirements remain unmet and the Board is not satisfied that there is good reason for the facility to remain registered, it may direct the Chief Executive to cancel the facility’s registration.

The Act further requires the Chief Executive to publish a notice in the Government Gazette of the cancellation of a tourist facility’s registration.

It was not immediately clear which specific requirement Sis Bee’s Kitchen had allegedly failed to comply with, or whether the closure was temporary pending compliance with the requirements.

Sis Bee’s Kitchen is a popular food outlet in Bulawayo, and its closure is likely to affect patrons who frequent the establishment for its meals and other services.

The ZTA is responsible for regulating tourism establishments and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements governing the sector.