BY KENNETH NYANGANI
SPACE barons occupying vending spaces in the capital Harare are reportedly making a killing, pocketing almost US$90 000 a month, prejudicing the local municipality of thousands in revenue.
The space barons allegedly linked to the ruling party Zanu PF bigwigs are occupying lucrative vending spaces in the capital that include the Fourth Street bus terminus area.
The Harare City Council has watched helplessly as powerful space barons keep using the ruling party card to muscle their way and dip into council revenue streams.
The council’s small medium enterprises (SMEs) committee chairperson Denford Ngadziore said they have since surveyed politically connected barons making a killing through these illegal shenanigans.
“The space barons have erected illegal flea markets and container tuckshops riding on political affiliation at Harare (CBD) Fourth Street bus terminus meant for travellers using buses and Kombis.
“The space barons are collecting at least US$3 000 per day; imagine how much they are collecting. The space barons have been operating in such areas as Fourth Street bus terminus, Mbare, Harare South Boka area, Glen View Area 8. At the moment I cannot name them,” Ngadziore said.
“During the festive season politically-connected space barons invaded Harare (CBD) Fourth Street bus terminus meant for travellers using buses and kombis. The space barons have erected illegal flea markets and container tuckshops riding on political affiliation,” he added.
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He said the same is also happening in Harare South near Boka along Beatrice Road adding that the space barons are planning to take over Market Square Bus Terminus and the Copacabana terminus.
Zanu PF Harare chairman Goodwill's Masimerembwa, however, denied the allegations saying: “This is a lie. Those are CCC space barons causing mayhem in Harare. We are going to fight this torture. Vendors are trying to make a living and why would we take money from them.”
The government recently admitted to the politicisation of major markets in Harare Metropolitan province.
Mbare’s Mupedzanhamo area, which was closed years back forcing vendors to occupy pavements, was the scene of violent clashes in September last year when suspected Zanu PF and Citizens Coalition for Change space barons fought over control of illegal vending spaces.
The violent clashes claimed the lives of two people, while several others were injured.
Ngadziore said only the HCC, through the SMEs committee, was mandated to allocate trading places in the capital.
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