adminLovemore Mataire Features Writer
CALL it a “bush” car wash or be repulsed at the idea of having your posh car washed at a bushy area along the banks of a city stream, but a car wash along Robert Mugabe Road, near Vehicle Inspection Department in Eastlea is something to write home about. You have been warned: it’s nothing fancy and you are not likely to find girls in skimpy tops and “butt-riders” gamboling on car bonnets.
Rather, you get serious men at work, which men you would be tempted to think are homeless on account of their looks and attire.
But they deliver the goods.
The open place is a hive of activity at any given time of the day with an array of clients driving all sorts of vehicles making a beehive to have their vehicles washed.
At least 12 youths operating at the site have divided themselves into groups of four members – each responsible for a specific task on a given vehicle.
One group comprising of David, Hamu, Tendai and Peter said business was good especially during the weekends where they fetch up to $200 depending on the service required by an individual client.
“The convenience of this place is that it is visible to motorists going to and from the city centre and we easily access our water from the nearby Mukuvisi River,” said David.
David said his group had been operating near the Vehicle Inspection Department for almost a year and were each managing to fend for their families from the revenue generated from the car wash.
“We used to operate at an open space near the GMB head office close to Samora Machel Avenue but we were harassed and chased away by municipality police. But even at this place, we are always playing a cat and mouse game with the police,” said David.
David said his group comprised of two individuals were gainfully employed but lost their jobs when their company closed. The other two claim to be holders of Marketing Diplomas from Harare Polytechnic but failed to secure jobs.
“We have nothing else to do my brother. Our wish is to raise enough money and request for a place from city council so that we start a genuine car wash business. Our dream will come true one day,” he said.
A quick carwash which lasts less than 10 minutes costs between $3 and $5 dollars, while a full valet costs $10 and takes about 20 minutes.
Despite the absence of a hoover and water-gun, most clients interviewed by The Herald expressed satisfaction in the manner in which the youths conduct their business.
“I know this may be an illegal activity, but I get value for money because its quick and they don’t leave scratches on my car and for some reason the water is always looks clean,” said one Martin Mufure whose car, a posh Toyota Hilux Invincible, had just had a “bath.”
Mufure said he was initially hesitant to have his car washed at the “bush” car wash but later changed his mind when he realised that some of his friends also frequent the car wash.
He said the lack of proper equipment was not an issue as the youths’ service was top-notch.
As the economy continues to underperform, most youths are resorting to the car washing business to earn an extra dollar to fend for themselves and their families.
While similar unorthodox car washing ventures resort to unconventional ways of sourcing water from burst pipes, the youths near Chiremba Road intersection get their water from a perennially flowing stream which feeds into Mukuvisi River.
The only visible blemish is that there are no ablution facilities nearby and the youths use the bushy stream banks to relieve themselves.
However, Tendai (one of the youths) insisted that they don’t relieve themselves on the banks of the stream but use ablution facilities at the nearby Vehicle Inspection Department.
Unlike other youths who are into the similar car washing venture who pester and accost motorists for business, it is a different situation at the site near the VID where motorists voluntarily come from different locations to have their cars washed.
The youths said most motorists were initially hesitant to have their cars washed because they used confuse them with “street-children”.
“We are not street kids, but genuine people trying to earn a living. Our hope is that the city council we designate this place as a vending place so that we carry out our activities without fear and pay rates to the city council,” said Hamu.
However, Harare City Council principal communications officer Mr Michael Chideme said while he appreciated that the car washing business was a thriving activity, the youths were using the open space illegally.
“Wherever there is car wash, there must be facilities that ensure that all chemicals are disposed into the city’s sewer system.
“That place has no such facilities and those people are polluting that stream’s water,” said Mr Chideme.
He said all those in the car washing business are expected to register with the city council and pay trading fees.
Mr Chideme said the youths operating near VID have continued operating because the city council wanted to deal with the vending menace that had taken root in the city centre.
He said it was high time that the youths apply for land where they erect proper facilities for such a business venture.
Online Reporter