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HARARE Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary, Tafadzwa Muguti, has said the city no longer allows flea markets to conduct business in parking bays and undesignated places.
This follows a spike in lawlessness in the capital.
“On September 13, violence erupted in Mbare, as two groups of youths clashed, at the Mupedzanhamo Market,” he said.
“Members of the public were affected as many had to flee for dear life while traffic came to a halt as motorists feared their vehicles would be stoned.
“Our police were swift to react and managed to restore sanity and several arrests were made in the process.”
Muguti said the province was battling with space barons, who hide behind political banners, working with corrupt officials, to fleece traders.
“The same people have now created Mafia-style syndicates which violently take over parking spaces, bus stops, markets and intimidate vendors.
“On September 2, our law enforcement agencies intervened and arrested another syndicate, which had invaded Fourth Street Bus Terminus, intending to convert the bus parking bays into second-hand clothing (mabhero) trading spaces,” he said.
“We engaged the City of Harare on the reopening of Mupedzanhamo Market, construction of a state-of-the-art SME Complex at Shawasha Grounds and immediate reconstruction of a modern Glen View Furniture Industrial Park, which recently burnt down for the 11th time.”
Muguti said the City of Harare, Chitungwiza Municipality, Ruwa Local Board and Epworth Local Board should consider Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for construction of more work spaces, markets and business centres in every ward for SMEs.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter