More than 4,000 traders who lost goods worth over US$20 million in the devastating fire at Mbare Musika in October 2024 are frustrated by the government’s failure to deliver on its promise of interest-free loans to help them recover.
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/government-leaves-over-4000-mbare-fire-victims-high-and-dry-as-interest-free-loans-promise-fails-to-materialise/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> visited the traders in Mbare, where many have resorted to setting up makeshift stalls and tents to keep their businesses running.
One trader, Oscar Mwedzi, said that he had received no assistance from the government despite the promises made. Said Mwedzi:
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We were expecting the government to support us, but we haven’t received anything yet. I came back with a very small stock because I can’t afford to sit at home. My family needs food.
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Another fire victim, Memory Chiguru, said the government only collected their details days after the fire, then disappeared, leaving them stranded. As a result, they had no choice but to turn to well-wishers for help.. She said:
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Our names were taken down two days after the fire. They asked us about our families, dependents, and the value of the goods that were burnt.
But since then, no support has come our way. As for me personally, I took out a loan from the bank to restart my business. A few relatives helped me.
</blockquote>
Farai Hokonya, Deputy Director of the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), told NewZimbabwe.com that government officials are scheduled to tour the new market this week and will provide an update at that time.
In the meantime, traders have raised concerns over the registration and allocation of vending stalls, particularly after a controversial list was released through a state-owned newspaper last month.
The list contained numerous errors, and there are allegations that it is heavily skewed in favour of ZANU PF supporters, many of whom were not affected by the October fire that devastated the market.
Denford Ngadziore, chairperson of the City of Harare’s Small and Medium Enterprise Committee, said that the responsibility to allocate vending spaces at the new Mbare Musika Market lies with the council, not the government.
Ngadziore further explained that while the new market is a joint project between the council and the government, it is the council’s responsibility to allocate spaces.
He stressed that any allocation by others would be illegal, and priority would be given to traders who lost goods in the fire last year.

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Over 4,000 traders lost goods in a fire at Mbare Musika. The government promised interest-free loans to help them but has not delivered. Many traders are struggling to restart their businesses. The government collected their details but did not help. Traders are setting up makeshift stalls to keep going. There are concerns about unfair allocation of vending stalls. The responsibility for allocation lies with the council, not the government. Traders are waiting for an update from government officials on the situation.

Government's Failure To Provide Interest-Free Loans Leaves Mbare Musika Traders In Limbo

Vendors in Harare are urging the city council and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to prevent “space barons” from dominating the allocation of stalls in the Mbare retail market, which is currently being reconstructed following a devastating fire in October 2024.
Since the market was destroyed in a freak accident on October 8, over 4,500 traders have been operating from temporary locations. However, reports indicate that space barons are interfering with the allocation process.
Samuel Wadzai, director of the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation, told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200036727/space-barons-swoop-on-new-mbare-musika">NewsDay</a> that while the rebuilding efforts have begun positively, there are growing concerns that space barons may attempt to seize control once again. Said Wadzai:
<blockquote>
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 who were affected to benefit from this temporary market that was constructed.
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.
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Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy secretary-general Wisbon Malaya said:
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Amid 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.
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.
</blockquote>
Space barons are individuals or groups who illegally allocate and control trading spaces in markets and urban areas.
These barons exploit traders by charging them fees for the use of these spaces, creating an environment rife with chaos and unfair practices.
They often interfere with the allocation of vending spots, favouring certain individuals or groups and sometimes leveraging political connections to maintain their grip on power.
Reports suggest that the space barons operating in Mbare Musika are affiliated with the ZANU PF party.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Vendors in Mbare Market want to be protected from space barons who control the allocation of stalls. After a fire destroyed the market, vendors are worried that space barons will take advantage of the rebuilding process. They want fair allocation of stalls so that everyone affected can benefit. Space barons charge fees and create chaos in the market. The vendors are asking the city council and police to stop the space barons from dominating the market. They are also calling for transparency and involvement of informal economy associations in the stall allocation process.

Mbare Market Rebuild: Vendors Call For Protection Against Space Barons

Action Chakauya, a Harare man accused of starting a fire that destroyed the Mbare Musika Retail Market earlier this month, has been denied bail.
Chakauya (35) appeared before the Mbare Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon, facing charges of negligently causing serious damage to property under Section 141 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
It is alleged that on October 8, 2024, Chakauya was manning the premises opposite Mbare Musika Retail Market when he set a fire at one of the main entrances to warm himself.
The fire got out of control and razed the Mbare Musika Retail Market. Police investigations led to Chakauya’s arrest.
The value of the destroyed property is estimated at US$5 million. Chakauya is scheduled to appear in court again on November 5, 2024.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man named Chakauya is accused of starting a fire that destroyed a market in Harare. He was denied bail and appeared in court facing charges for causing serious damage to property. Chakauya allegedly started the fire to warm himself, but it got out of control and burned down the market. The destroyed property is worth $5 million. Chakauya will go to court again on November 5, 2024.

Security Guard Accused Of Starting Mbare Musika Fire Denied Bail

Witnesses of the Mbare Musika fire described it as possibly the worst blaze the area has seen in decades.
The fire, which broke out on Tuesday night, engulfed shacks and market stalls, rapidly spreading through the steel, wood, and plastic structures, as well as flammable materials typical of the shanty suburb.
As the fire raged, people sought to escape and salvage their belongings. Many carried large bags and pushed carts used for transporting goods, while others helped those in need amid the flames and crackling wood.
The scene was marked by shattered glass and crumbling structures, accompanied by sounds of distress and calls for assistance.
The fire reduced shacks to ashes, displacing residents and leaving families homeless, their livelihoods consumed by the flames.
Taurai Nendoro, a witness, told The NewsHawks that the fire began around 9 PM, but the cause remains unknown.
He said:
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We really don’t know what caused the fire, but I have never seen anything like this in Mbare for the past 30 years I have been living here.
We only heard the fire was caused by candlelight, people use candles in this area as we usually don’t have electricity from 6 pm to 6 am.
This area is also overcrowded and any incident of fire can easily spread. There are lots of combustible materials in these dwellings here and that makes this place susceptible to fire outbreaks.
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Another Mbare resident Vimbai Dandara said the damage to property and displacement of people was huge.
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It’s a disaster. I don’t even know where I will go tonight; my family has lost everything. We have lost our dwelling, all the goods that we buy and sell to make a living and our belongings.
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Charles Gomo, another witness, said the impact of the fire was severe, highlighting the destruction of property and loss of livelihoods, as well as the trauma and psychological distress faced by those affected. “This is shocking,” he remarked.
The fire brigade, along with other hands-on services from the Harare City Council, responded to the scene as firefighters worked to control the blaze.
Three fire tenders were deployed, but they faced challenges due to water shortages, a large crowd obstructing movement, and difficulties manoeuvring within the densely populated area.
Harare City Council spokesperson Stanley Gama, who was at the scene, said:
<blockquote>
This is a critical situation and as you can see the fire brigade is doing all it can to douse the fire. They were here at the earliest time possible and have been battling the blaze for hours.
However, the fire tenders have no capacity to carry adequate water to overcome this blaze immediately. 
They have to keep on going back and forth to fetch water, so it will take time to put the situation under control.
There is also the challenge of crowds and shanty structures here which make it difficult to manoeuvre. 
Police need to help to control crowds and people’s movements to allow firefighters to do their work unimpeded.
Investigations into the fire’s cause will follow after the blaze has been extinguished, and people and goods rescued.
We are doing all we can to quickly ensure this emergency is under control and people are helped.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A big fire happened at Mbare Musika. It was the worst blaze in a long time. The fire destroyed houses and market stalls made of steel, wood, and plastic. People tried to save their things and help each other. Many lost their homes and belongings. The fire started at night, but no one knows why. The fire brigade tried to stop the fire, but it was hard because there was not enough water and too many people. People are sad and need help. They will figure out what caused the fire later.

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