By Marshall Bwanya
Harare – The devastating fire at Mbare Musika retail market in Harare has sparked a fresh battle between Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, and the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) over control of the country’s largest informal sector.
The blaze destroyed millions of dollars’ worth of goods and left hundreds of vendors without livelihoods.
The rivalry between Zanu PF and CCC in Mbare, a hub for informal trading, has been ongoing for years .
The market’s strategic importance makes it a prized prize for control.
Both parties have seized on the tragedy to advance their agendas amid reports from reliable sources that space barons from the two political parties are tussling to control the lucrative informal market.
Womberaiishe Nhende, chairperson of the City of Harare’s Small to Medium Enterprises Committee, expressed sympathies with affected vendors and business owners during a tour of the market.
“We are deeply saddened by what happened at Mbare Musika retail market, and as a City, we’ll explore ways to restore operations promptly,” Nhende said.
Nhende further stated that the opposition council’s desire to modernize the area to avoid future disasters was met with resistance from business owners and vendors, stalling the city’s efforts to modernize and fireproof marketplaces.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF officials, led by Harare Provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa, on Thursday held a rally in Mbare, pledging support for affected vendors.
Masimirembwa vowed to resist any attempts by the opposition-led council to temporarily evict business owners and vendors during development.
“We do not condone the language of saying let us close the place and re-register giving way for criminals to come into causing disorder.
“Business continues with the necessary adjustments because of the current unfortunate situation,” he said
Masimirembwa also accused the opposition led council of poor service delivery in Mbare, pointing out that vendors were cleaning up the rubble themselves.
“They are cleaning now, council is nowway to be seen.
“You see the problem we have with this Council is, if you move around Mbare here they are not collecting refuse.
“How do they come now to try and respect this place, so people are already on their own cleaning up the mess, business has already started,” said Masimirembwa