tawandamusarurwa
Online Reporter
Government, in conjunction with Harare City Council, is working on plans to re-develop and modernise the Glen View Area 8 Home Industry Complex.
The project would involve modernising stalls, constructing alkways and expanding parking spaces.
A police post will also be housed in the market, as well as local authority offices.
A steering committee led by Mr Peter Chibemhe has already been selected to oversee operations at the market.
Harare Metropolitan secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Tafadzwa Mugut said the local authority has been losing revenue because of space barons.
“Harare City Council has been losing close to US$15 000 a day to space barons that are within Mbare Musika, Coca-Cola and Glen View home industry, revenue that would be assisting the local authority.
“The space barons were collecting $1 to $10 for every single stall every day. What we have simply done in Glen View is say that the land belongs to the local authority, not to individuals.”
Mr Muguti said they were not going to build marketplaces for people to sell second-hand clothes.
“We went to Kudzanai Market recently in Gweru and the market is filled with people who are importing goods. Some are buying from local manufactures and that is what we want to do, to promote local business , but selling second-hand clothes is not part of the agenda,” he said.
Glen View Complex committee member Mr Paradzai Sanjobo said the re-development will get rid of space barons.
“We are happy that a committee has been endorsed to oversee this complex. Space barons were collecting people’s money daily while they were not paying to the local authority for quite a long time.
“The move to modernise the complex will help us to work in a conducive environment where customers will feel free to come and purchase furniture,” he said.
Online Reporter