Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo
Zimpapers Business Hub
THE closure of the Bulawayo SME Centre housed at the OK Mart Complex has left about 60 small enterprises without workspace, severely crippling their productivity and threatening the livelihoods of many families.
The closure of the facility, due to rental disputes between tenants and the owner, Old Mutual, resulted in the occupants vacating the premises without properly planning for it.
One of the SMEs operating in the facility confirmed the development, saying she left before the centre was closed, adding that the rentals had been continually increased, affecting the viability of their operations.
“I moved out of the facility a month ago because the rent went up and the expenses became too high. I then heard the facility was closed due to rental disputes, as people were failing to pay rent.
“It’s sad because people are complaining, saying that after the facility was closed, they are failing to get proper workspace,” said Ms Juliana Mujuru.
“We had serious challenges with rent escalations from the landlord, Old Mutual; people then failed to pay / resistance to pay on time, leading to a huge accumulation of debt.”
The OK Mart SMEs Centre in Bulawayo is a US$165 000 project that transformed a hazardous, makeshift shelter into an organised and safe workspace for 60 micro-enterprises.
Renovated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other stakeholders, the centre provided upgraded features like standard compartments, electricity, water and office equipment to help informal businesses formalise their operations.
Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs programmes coordinator Mr Nketa Mangoye Dlamini said the rentals had become unsustainable, resulting in accumulated debt, which prompted Old Mutual to close the facility.
The Bulawayo City Council facilitated service delivery and urban planning integration.
