Government Leaves Over 4,000 Mbare Fire Victims Stranded as Promised Interest-Free Loans Fail to Materialise

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Traders who lost goods worth over US$20 million in the devastating Mbare Musika fire last October have been left high and dry by the government, despite promises of interest-free loans to aid their recovery. It seems these assurances were nothing more than hollow promises.

Over 4,000 traders in Mbare had their livelihoods destroyed in the blaze, leaving them with nothing but ashes. Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe had previously described the fires as a ‘blessing in disguise’, presenting an opportunity to build a modern market and ensure traders pay taxes.

NewZimbabwe.com visited traders in Mbare who have already set up makeshift stalls and tents to continue working. They reported receiving no assistance from the government.

Oscar Mwedzi, one of the affected traders, expressed his disappointment. “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,” he said.

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Memory Chiguru, another victim of the fire, recounted how the government took their details shortly after the fire but then vanished, leaving them to rely on well-wishers for help. “Our names were taken down two days after the fire. They asked us about our families, dependents, and the value of our goods that were burnt. But since then, no support has come our way. I had to take out a loan from the bank to restart my business, with some help from relatives,” she explained.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the government were unsuccessful, as Minister Garwe was unavailable. Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprise Minister Monica Mutsvangwa referred questions to the Civil Protection Unit (CPU). However, CPU Deputy Director Farai Hokonya informed NewZimbabwe.com that government officials would tour the new market next week and provide an update.

In the meantime, traders have raised concerns about the registration and allocation of vending stalls, following a problematic list published in a state-owned newspaper last month. The list contained glaring errors that embarrassed the government. Sources close to those who compiled the list revealed it was dominated by Zanu-PF supporters, many of whom were not among the traders affected by the October fire.

Denford Ngadziore, Chairperson of the City of Harare Small and Medium Enterprise Committee, stated that the council is responsible for allocating vending spaces at the new Mbare Musika Market, potentially setting the stage for a clash with the government. “The council is the one that enjoys the responsibility to allocate space to traders, not the government. Any allocation by anyone else will be illegal. The allocation will prioritise those who lost goods in the fire last year,” he said.

Mbare market holds significant influence over Zimbabwe’s economic activities and performance.

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