City closes down flea market

Simon Mazorodze Road citing “unhygienic conditions.”

There is no water and toilets at the flea market that doubles as a food mart.
Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda described the situation at the auction floors as “a ticking time bomb”.
Health services director, Dr Prosper Chonzi, said council was working with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare in addressing the situation.

The flea market becomes very busy when the tobacco auction floors are open as farmers buy clothes, groceries and household property after selling their crop.
Food vendors also make brisk business.

Many people view the high level of activity at the flea market as a vindication of the successful land reform programme that ushered in thousands of black farmers into an area previously preserved for whites.

Harare residents have resorted to invading open spaces to engage into vending business because the city has been very slow on that front.
Ever since the current council was elected into office, it has not allocated or built any market stalls but is wanton on evicting people trying to eke a living.