By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru, Princess of Harare
Harare, Zimbabwe (News of The South) – Traders at the newly rebuilt Mbare Musika Market are expressing outrage over the steep rental and other charges proposed by the Harare City Council. Vendors, many of whom endured significant losses following a fire that necessitated the market’s reconstruction, argue that the fees are unreasonable and threaten their livelihoods.
According to a widely circulated notice, the proposed charges include a $150 deposit on rent, a weekly rent of $50, a $1 fee for every visit to the toilet, and a monthly parking fee of $240 for car owners. These fees are in addition to any taxes the vendors are already obligated to pay.
“These prices are daylight robbery,” said one irate vendor who wished to remain anonymous. “How can they expect us to pay so much just to operate in the market? We are trying to earn a living, and these charges will eat up all our profits.”
Concerns are mounting that the high costs will force vendors out of the formal market and back onto the streets, directly contradicting the council’s stated goals of bringing order to the city and ensuring vendors operate in designated areas with proper facilities.
“The council should be encouraging us to use the new stalls, not pushing us away,” another vendor lamented. “If we can’t afford to trade here, what choice do we have but to sell on the roadsides? This move is a step backwards.”
The parking fee, in particular, has drawn sharp criticism. “Two hundred and forty dollars a month for parking? That’s more than many people earn in total! How are we supposed to afford that?” questioned a vendor who relies on a vehicle to transport goods. Many feel that such exorbitant parking fees will disproportionately affect those who need vehicles for their business operations.
Vendors are likely not to enjoy any the benefits after the hefty fees. “What are we getting for all this money?” one trader asked. “Are they guaranteeing us security? Are they providing adequate sanitation, despite charging us to use the toilets? We need to see the value for money, and right now, it’s not there.”
The timing of these proposed fees is particularly sensitive, as many vendors are still recovering from the devastating fire that destroyed their stalls and goods last year. They argue that the council should be offering support to help them rebuild, not burdening them with unaffordable costs. The council obviously didn’t consult the vendors on their thoughts and feelings of reasonable and affordable rates.It appears they want to cash in from the traders.
“We have already suffered so much,” a vendor stated, referencing the hardships faced after the fire and the ongoing challenges such as alleged issues with hygiene at the market. “Now, just as we are trying to get back on our feet in this new market, the council wants to squeeze every last dollar out of us. It’s unfair and unjust.”
There are growing calls for the Harare City Council to reconsider these proposed fees and engage in meaningful consultations with the vendors to find a more equitable solution. Many believe that the current pricing structure is unsustainable and will ultimately harm both the traders and the city’s efforts to formalize its informal economy.
“As people who have been trading in this city for generations, we feel betrayed,” said a representative of a local vendors’ association. “We urge the council to listen to our concerns and come up with a fair system that allows us to operate and contribute to the city without being driven back onto the streets.”
The commissioning of the rebuilt Mbare Musika Market is scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2025. However, the joy of a new trading space is being overshadowed by the anxiety and anger over the proposed financial burden facing the market’s occupants. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the council will address the vendors’ grievances and ensure that the rebuilt market serves its intended purpose of empowering local traders and boosting the economy.
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