CHAOS rules supreme at Mbare Musika as space barons have resurfaced to terrorise vendors at the embattled retail market months after it was burnt to ashes in a freak accident last year, NewsDay has established.
The market, which is currently operating from temporary space is now home to barons who are interfering in the allocation of space.
Over the years, Mbare retail market has been under attack from suspectedZanu PF-aligned barons which saw an influx of traders resulting in overcrowding.
By the time of the inferno, approximately 4 695 traders which translates to 23 000 people were operating from the stalls.
Samuel Wadzai, Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation director, told NewsDay that while the rebuilding of the market has started on a good note, there are worrisome signs that need urgent attention of the city fathers.
“As the year begins, we welcome the temporary structure that is being created in Mbare in response to the fire that destroyed stuff and the operating space, but within the same context, we are calling on authorities to ensure that space barons do not take advantage of the reopening of this market.
“We want people that were affected to benefit from this temporary market that was constructed.”
Wadzai said there was a need to ensure that politicians do not take advantage and sideline traders that were earmarked to occupy that space.
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“We need transparency and accountability and informal economy associations should be involved in the allocation of these spaces.
“It must be transparent because we’ve already started seeing signs of some space barons in Mbare trying to take advantage of this process and continue to do the dirty work that they’ve been doing over the years,” he said.
Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy secretary-general Wisbon Malaya echoed the same sentiments expressing concern over the resurfacing of space barons.
“In the midst of the crisis there is a lot of desperation taking place among the traders at the Mbare Musika market. And we are now hearing rumours that there is now a new image of space barons.
“We are requesting the city fathers and all the law enforcement agents to ensure this issue is taken care of,” he said.
Malaya called for a tough stance against space barons.
“We request the city fathers and all the law enforcement agents to make sure the law takes its course so that we do not give room to these barons trying to evade Mbare Musika because of the crisis.”
City of Harare spokesperson Stanley Gama said they didn’t have information on the issue.
“I am checking and so far no one seems to have information on this. If anyone is being terrorised as you allege, then they must go to the police and report,” Gama said.
