Glen View 8 traders moved to Chemhanza after repeated fires, says Chiwawa

Glen View 8 traders moved to Chemhanza after repeated fires, says Chiwawa

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Harare acting town clerk Warren Chiwawa has thrown his weight behind the relocation of traders from the Glen View Area 8 Home Industry Complex, saying the long-running problem of fires requires permanent structures and a lasting plan.

The relocation has started, with at least 4,000 traders expected to move to Chemhanza Grounds in Glen View 3 as Harare City Council works on longer-term arrangements at the original site.

“We are all aware of the devastating fires in Glen View 8. This recurrence threatens livelihoods and our city’s economy. We need a permanent structure to address this crisis,” Chiwawa said.

The shift follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s declaration of a state of disaster over fires in urban areas across Zimbabwe. Glen View 8 has recorded at least 14 major fire outbreaks over the past 20 years, leaving many small-scale traders counting losses and struggling to rebuild.

Chiwawa said the council was seeking a sustainable solution, adding that repeated blazes have left many traders unable to support their families.

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Harare City Council says the 5-hectare Chemhanza site is expected to accommodate nearly all affected traders while plans are finalised for what it described as a modern small and medium enterprises (SMEs) facility to be developed at the Glen View 8 site.

The local authority has also sought technical support from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works as it considers options for permanent structures and improved safety.

Some traders welcomed the move, saying it offers a chance to operate in a safer space after years of uncertainty. Gloria Mutero, a trader, said she lost stock in the last fire and had to start again. “I am happy now that we are moving to a safer place,” she said.

However, not all residents are satisfied with the process. One resident who identified herself as Mbuya Manenji said people living near the new site should have been consulted, arguing that they may face “ripple effects” from the development.

The relocation and the proposed redevelopment of Glen View 8 come as councils and central government face growing pressure to address fire hazards at informal and semi-formal trading areas, which have become key sources of income for thousands of families.

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