Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
CONSTRUCTION work on the US$6 million Sakubva Industrial Hub project — also known as Murahwa People’s Green Market — is set to commence soon with current tenants and traders set to be relocated to a temporary site near Quest Motors any time from now.
The Manica Post has it on good authority that the adjudication process for tenders submitted by private contractors for the construction work is nearing completion, paving the way for the ground-breaking of the highly anticipated project.
Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, and Mutare City Council, together with National Social Security Authority (NSSA), as implementing partners recently spearheaded the formation of a private company working towards the actual construction works.
The project is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2026.
NSSA has already flighted tenders for the Sakubva Industrial Hub in the public media, heightening expectations of the project finally coming to fruition.
“Sakubva Industrial Hub is inviting suitably qualified and reputable bidders in the following tenders — procurement of motor vehicles, procurement of brand new ICT equipment, procurement of office furniture, construction of temporary relocation site, expression of interest — engagement of a multi-disciplinary consultant to provide architectural and engineering services for the production of Sakubva Green Market layouts, engineering designs and BOQs for the works,” reads part of the tender advert.
When contacted for comment, Mutare Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka was satisfied with the progress on the ground.
“We are equally happy with the progress on the Sakubva Industrial Hub even though as a local authority we are not hands-on in the construction stages, and we get updates from the private company itself when need be,” he said.
The handover to Sakubva Industrial Hub (Pvt) Ltd — a special purpose vehicle that was jointly formed by the two partners to pave way for the transformation of Green Market into a contemporary industrial hub — was long executed.
The industrial hub involves the construction of a modern industrial park designed to accommodate Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Mutare.
The Sakubva Industrial Hub is a crucial component of the Sakubva Urban Renewal Project, and was officially transferred to a special purpose entity by partners — Mutare City Council and NSSA.
This development marks a significant step towards achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Even though Murahwa People’s Green Market is accommodating more than 1 000 traders of diverse Small-to-Medium scale, and industrial projects, only about 150 are formally registered.
The hub has since been hailed as a beacon of economic empowerment, and a symbol of hope for the people of Mutare and beyond.
The development has received widespread approval from stakeholders, with Mutare Informal Traders Association (MITA) expressing full support of the urban renewal programme.
MITA president, Mr Itai Kariparire said: “As Mutare Informal Traders Association, which the Murahwa People’s Green Market area falls under, we are happy with the plans and the progress that is there. There was nowhere in the past when a project of this magnitude was organised by council or NSSA alone. From day one, when BancABC wanted to implement it, we were involved.
“We were shown the designs, and also gave input relating to the implementation. In fact, we also gave some input that resulted in some changes to the initial designs. We also contributed in the positioning of the canteen because we felt it should be located at the back, not at the parking area. The parking area should be located outside to create more working space inside.
“Council has been working with us, and we even visited an area that is near Quest Motors where traders will be temporarily relocated while the new structures are being constructed on the permanent site. The only thing that stopped us were the rains, otherwise we would have relocated a while ago to pave way for the construction of organised structures.”
Mr Kariparire said they are more than ready for the envisaged relocation.
“We are now expecting that council will now move in together with the contractor and NSSA, and relocate the traders to the temporary location to pave way for the construction of organised and permanent structures. In a nutshell, as an organisation, we are happy with the progress, and we are also being informed on every step. We know that this is an orderly thing, and we thank Government for that. We deeply appreciate the work that is being done,” he said.
