Staff Reporter
Traders that used Mbare’s Mupedzanhamo flea market, have expressed relief following Zanu PF Mbare Constituency National Assembly Member, Martin Matinyanya’s announcement that preparations to re-open the flea market are at an advanced stage following its closure over a year ago.
This comes after years of frustration and despair under the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)-led councils, which had failed to manage the market effectively, leading to its deterioration and demolition of stalls in June, 2022.
In an interview with this publication the traders at Mupedzanhamo expressed relief and hope at the reopening of the flea market citing a disruption to their source of livelihoods due to its closure under the CCC leadership.
Rutendo Simango one of the traders expressed her relief at the reopening of the market, but expressed frustration at the threat of being replaced by CCC affiliated individuals by the Harare City Council (HCC) officials.
“Under CCC council, Mupedzanhamo market had become a battleground for political agendas and the livelihoods of the hardworking traders was now in danger. They wanted to use the market for their political advantage. HCC prioritized political agendas over the wellbeing of traders, they even attempted to replace some of the traders with politically aligned individuals,” said Simango
Moreover, Simango recounted how the CCC-led council had neglected the Mupedzanhamo market, allowing it to deteriorate into a cholera-infested area that posed a threat to public health.
“We constantly paid our rent for years now, only to see our hard-earned money squandered with no infrastructural improvements to stalls, water taps and toilets in sight. Unfortunately this exposed us to diseases, the CCC-led council was more interested in fundraising for its party through the collections of rental money as well as to use the market place for political advancement," said Simango.
Additionally, another trader Tinashe Mupande recounted their struggles during the CCC era, highlighting the deteriorating conditions of the market.
"It felt like we were paying rent for a market that was falling apart and going into ruins. Threats of a cholera outbreak was a major concern as the CCC led HCC chose not to prioritise the basic needs of the market to function at optimum," remarked Mupande.
Furthermore, the traders expressed their excitement about the prospect of the market's refurbishment and the opportunity to resume their businesses without the constant threat of eviction or political manipulation. Matinyanya's assurance that traders can secure their spots at the market upon payment of the affordable council fees has instilled a sense of security and optimism among the traders.
Meanwhile, the Vendors for Economic Development (Vendors4ED) echoed the sentiments of the Mupedzanhamo traders in a recent report, blaming the CCC-led council for the cholera outbreak. They also expressed concern about the market’s previous state, citing a cholera outbreak and deteriorating infrastructure under the CCC’s watch.
With renovations underway and a renewed sense of optimism among traders, Mupedzanhamo is poised to reclaim its position as a vibrant hub of economic activity in Mbare.
