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Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
A local firm has opened a new place for traders called Fourways Traders Mall along Kenneth Kaunda Avenue, which can accommodate over 500 informal traders and is expected to de-congest the city’s pavements and streets that have been rendered impassable by illegal vendors.
Harare City Council corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme yesterday urged businesspeople with properties in the CBD to follow suit and assist the city in its efforts to free the city’s pavements of vendor menace.
“We have engaged the private sector and people with space in and around the Central Business District to avail their space to the informal sector,” he said.
“As a city, we exist to ensure that businesses make money and utilise their land and infrastructure for the benefit of the residents of Harare.
“This is an example of such an initiative. We are still looking for more business people with space who can convert their spaces for the informal sector on a temporary basis or on a permanent basis, depending with the economics of the day.”
Mr Chideme said people who have land, but have plans to build structures in the future can open such structures and accommodate vendors.
He said the city was happy with Fourways and was encouraging the company to do more if they had extra space elsewhere.
“They can avail it and the city will look at it and make necessary approvals,” said Mr Chideme.
Fourways spokesperson Mr Isaac Muzofa said his company was providing an opportunity for illegal vendors to trade their wares legally.
“This is a private entity for small players in the industry,” he said.
“It is an opportunity we created for vendors to trade their wares legally without fear of being displaced either by council or other relevant authorities.
“We want people to move from the streets and operate in a clean and nice environment.
“Our streets are dirty because of the influx of vendors. That is why we have decided to bring up a clean operating environment for vendors and other small enterprises.”
Mr Muzofa said the mall, which was now fully subscribed, was accommodating more than 500 people.
He said illegal vendors were aware that they would be removed from the streets and were temporarily enjoying trading for free on the pavements.
“We have created a good facility with good storage facilities which are clean,” he said.
“We are also going to have showers in the ablution facilities.”
Online Reporter