A World Food Programme (WFP) funded Chinhoyi market is lying idle seven months after it was commissioned due to squabbling among councillors.
The market shed meant to accommodate 240 vendors is still not occupied as Chinhoyi councilors fight over the list of beneficiaries.
Some councilors allegedly want to put their cronies on the list of beneficiaries.
According to council minutes, some councilors removed some names from the intended list of beneficiaries that was submitted through the council department of social welfare.
They allegedly replaced the names with their supporters, relatives as well as other undeserving residents from their wards.
Sources said the fight among councilors had stalled the whole process of moving vendors to the new market shed.
“Some councilors removed names of deserving vendors and tried to replace them with their party cronies,” a source said.
“The haggling stalled everything and we do not know when this will be solved.”
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Chinhoyi public relations manager, Tichaona Mlauzi, tried to downplay the matter saying there are some few grey areas that needed to be sorted out.
“Very soon vendors will be moved to the shed,” Mlauzi said.
“There are some things that need attention before they (vendors) occupy places at the market shed.”
Chinhoyi mayor Owen Charuza refused to comment on the matter.
WFP implementing partner Leakages for Economic Advancement of the Disadvantaged coordinator Kumbirayi Zhemi said they are puzzled why the structure was not being utilised.
“We are equally disappointed because as you can see the structure is now being vandalised, some water taps are missing,” Zhemi said.
The market shed built at a cost of US$120 000 has ablution facilities and a child friendly nursing space.
However, to date informal traders are still operating from open spaces due to the ongoing squabbles among councillors.
