Moffat Mungazi
Samuel Kadungure and Ray Bande
THE National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has fully activated the US$6 million Sakubva Industrial Hub project after injecting its entire equity contribution of US$3, 066 million, while setting July 31 as the final deadline for the relocation of traders.
The milestone represents a major breakthrough for the Sakubva Urban Renewal Programme, a flagship development initiative launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in December 2019 as part of the Government’s Vision 2030 agenda.
The project is being implemented through a partnership involving the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mutare City Council and NSSA.
It aims to transform the ageing Murahwa People’s (Sakubva) Green Market into a modern, integrated industrial and commercial hub that will improve trading conditions and stimulate economic growth in Mutare.
Speaking on the progress of the project, NSSA general manager Dr Charles Shava said construction is advancing simultaneously at both the temporary relocation site and the main development site to ensure minimal disruption to the livelihoods of thousands of traders.
Dr Shava revealed that critical infrastructure works at the temporary relocation site near Quest Motors have been completed.
“These include the construction of 2,5 kilometres of gravel access roads, installation of ablution facilities, clearing and compaction of all trading stands, erection of a model shed, and the installation and commissioning of an 800KVA transformer together with full electrical reticulation,” he said.
Work on the perimeter fencing has reached 20 percent completion and is progressing alongside the allocation of trading stands to affected vendors.
“Construction of the main Sakubva Green Market: Re-routing of powerline is 100 percent complete, while architectural and engineering designs for the main market are at appraisal and approval stage with responsible authorities. Construction of the main market, according to approved architectural and engineering designs for buildings, roads, water, sewer and storm water drainage, is at contract and supplier on boarding stage. The fencing is running concurrently with the allocation of stands and relocation of traders. The Sakubva Green Market (Murahwa People’s Green Market) main site tender was awarded to Emerge Infrastructure (Private) Limited. This was published on the eGP System. Construction may begin soon after relocation of traders is complete.
“NSSA has contributed its full equity share of US$3,066 million to the project, inclusive of the initial US$1 million. The funds have been and are being utilised on operations, the construction of the temporary relocation site, and architectural and engineering designs for the main site. They will also be used for the construction of the main green market. Approximately US$580 000 was allocated to the temporary relocation site to cater for the construction of the above services,” said Dr Shava.
He said the relocation timeline was revised. The allocation process for stands to traders began on June 15, 2026. There was an under-run against the anticipated completion time of about two weeks, hence the failure to meet the original deadline, said Dr Shava, adding that to prevent further slippage, all contracts with the SPV and contractors include binding penalty clauses.
Dr Shava said the hub will operate on competitive rentals determined by prevailing market rates to ensure sustainability and return on investment.
While specific tariffs have not been set, NSSA confirmed that displaced traders will be prioritised in the allocation of units. The exact percentage ring-fenced was not disclosed, but the policy is designed to protect existing SMEs, with their formalisation central to the new model.
Trading in the hub will be conditional on Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) registration with NSSA, a requirement Dr Shava said is aimed at extending social protection rather than excluding low-income operators.
“The SIH should generate a return from investment made, therefore competitive rentals based on prevailing market at the time shall determine the magnitude of rentals to be applied. NSSA registration is not intended to create barriers to entry of low income earners, but to ensure that all businesses and their employees are protected under the social security system. The registration process is simple and affordable, with compliance costs significantly 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 help SMEs transition smoothly into the formal economy,” said Dr Shava.
Mutare City Council Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka, said all traders should have been relocated to the temporary site by month-end.
“People will move. The challenge is that we have procurement laws that have to be followed and at times people might not understand that. Our deadline is mid to end of July. We should be moving people to the temporary site so that works begin at Sakubva Green Market. People were actually allocated stands. Yes, some form of resistance will always be there, but we look at the bigger picture. For example, people might complain about the state of the ablution facilities at the temporary site, but when you compare them with the ablution facilities at the current site, you then see that we are doing the right thing,” said Mr Chafesuka.
Green Market Association chairman, Mr Ernest Muchakuya, said: “First, we have to make it clear that we are not against development, but have concerns that we feel should be addressed. The timeframes that were given to relocate from the current to the temporary site were too short. We are happy to learn that month-end is now the deadline for movement, and not July 14, as the initial notice declared. We are also concerned that as much as we need to pave way for the renovations, the specific work stations that we are meant to operate from on a temporary basis, next to Quest Motors, are not suitable. There is need to look into issues relating to how one will operate given the size of their businesses. You also realise that we have 88 shops that are official with eight water points, but with new applicants coming in, we now have 324 official work stations so the two water points are not enough. It is a concern that we raised and we sincerely hope will be addressed before moving to the temporary site. To enhance security, we also need a lighting system. It is not clear how we are going to operate in such a place where there is no lighting. There is also an issue of some work stations that were allocated along the river. That also needs to be looked into. Lastly, we have increasing numbers so we are not sure whether council can clean up that area near the river because that area will be used as bush toilets. Having said that, we have no doubt that we will find an amicable solution as we are still engaging with the authorities on these issues.”
Mutare Informal Traders Association president, Mr Itai Kariparire said: “It is unfortunate that we have people resisting to move to the temporary site. Most of them are not even registered traders in the Green Market, and they are not on the waiting list. We have elements that are just against urban renewal for reasons known best to them. Everything was done above board, and every progressive person will support the idea to work from an organised environment. Yes, we have concerns that we are still engaging the local authority on, and I think solutions will be worked out amicably. Issues relating to ablution facilities and security are things that can be worked out. It is my sincere hope that this process will proceed smoothly.”
The Sakubva Industrial Hub is positioned as a cornerstone of Vision 2030, and beyond new market infrastructure, it is expected to decongest Mutare’s city centre, improve public health standards, and provide secure, formal trading space for thousands who have operated in poor conditions for decades.
The Government officials maintain that the Murahwa People’s Green Market will set the standard for urban renewal in the city.
Online Reporter