Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MORE than 340 traders who operated from the old Murahwa People’s Green Market have relocated to a temporary site near Quest Motors, clearing the way for the construction of the Smart City-compliant US$6 million Sakubva Industrial Hub.
The relocation marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the Sakubva Urban Renewal Programme, which was launched by President Mnangagwa in December 2019.
The ambitious project, a partnership between the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mutare City Council and the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), seeks to transform the ageing Murahwa (Sakubva) Green Market into a modern, integrated industrial and commercial hub.
The Government has repeatedly described the project as a model for urban renewal in Zimbabwe’s secondary cities.
With funding secured, contractual penalties activated and political commitment strengthened, the project is now moving from the planning phase to implementation.
The old Murahwa People’s Green Market had long been deemed unsuitable for trading activities, with severe overcrowding exerting immense pressure on water reticulation systems and ablution facilities.
While only 88 traders were officially registered with Mutare City Council, more than 1 000 traders were operating at the site.
A visit to the temporary trading site adjacent to Quest Motors this week revealed that most of the 343 traders allocated space there had already completed, or were finalising their relocation.
Murahwa Green Market Traders Committee chairperson, Mr Ernest Muchakuya, said the transition had progressed smoothly, although several challenges required urgent attention.
“The movement to the temporary site has been progressing well, and we can confirm that the majority of the 343 traders allocated space have already relocated, with some having started operations.
“However, there are pressing issues that need to be addressed. Parking space is limited and the access roads can hardly accommodate vehicles travelling in opposite directions. We are also facing water and electricity challenges.
“These concerns require urgent attention so that our operations can run smoothly and productively, while enabling us to continue supplying affordable products to the market,” he said.
Mutare Informal Traders Association president, Mr Itai Kariparire, welcomed the progress, describing it as evidence of Government’s commitment to development.
“It is clear for everyone to see that this is a Government programme and that Government is serious about development. We fully support efforts to improve our working environment and make it more habitable and modern.
“We are confident that the authorities are aware of the concerns raised by traders regarding electricity, water and parking facilities at the temporary site. We believe solutions are being pursued and that conditions will improve in the near future,” he said.
Efforts to obtain a comment from NSSA chief executive officer Dr Charles Shava were unsuccessful as he was reported to be out of the country.
“I am sorry, I cannot assist at the moment as I am not on the ground. I am out of the country,” he said.
Mutare City Council Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka, was also unavailable for comment.
Meanwhile, concerns have emerged among traders that rental charges at the new complex may be beyond the reach of many small-scale operators once the facility is completed.
However, Dr Shava has previously assured stakeholders that rental fees at the Sakubva Industrial Hub will be competitive and guided by prevailing market rates to ensure the project’s sustainability and a return on investment.
Although specific tariff structures have not yet been finalised, NSSA has confirmed that displaced traders will receive priority in the allocation of workspaces at the new facility.
While the exact proportion of units reserved for existing traders has not been disclosed, the allocation policy is intended to safeguard small and medium enterprises (SMEs), whose formalisation forms a key pillar of the new development model.
Trading at the hub will also be conditional upon SME registration with NSSA, a requirement that Dr Shava said was intended to expand social protection coverage rather than exclude low-income entrepreneurs.
“The Sakubva Industrial Hub should generate a return on the investment made and therefore competitive rentals, based on prevailing market conditions at the time, will determine the rates to be applied. NSSA registration is not intended to create barriers for low-income earners, but rather to ensure that businesses and their employees benefit from social security protection.
“The registration process is simple and affordable, with compliance costs far outweighed by the benefits of social security coverage, legal compliance and access to formal business opportunities.
“Where appropriate, NSSA can also support phased compliance and awareness initiatives to assist SMEs in transitioning smoothly into the formal economy,” said Dr Shava.
The completion of the traders’ relocation paves the way for construction work to begin in earnest on a project that authorities hope will redefine informal trade and urban development in Mutare.
