Vendors in Harare are urging the city council and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to prevent “space barons” from dominating the allocation of stalls in the Mbare retail market, which is currently being reconstructed following a devastating fire in October 2024.
Since the market was destroyed in a freak accident on October 8, over 4,500 traders have been operating from temporary locations. However, reports indicate that space barons are interfering with the allocation process.
Samuel Wadzai, director of the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation, told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200036727/space-barons-swoop-on-new-mbare-musika">NewsDay</a> that while the rebuilding efforts have begun positively, there are growing concerns that space barons may attempt to seize control once again. Said Wadzai:
<blockquote>
As the year begins, we welcome the temporary structure that is being created in Mbare in response to the fire that destroyed stuff and the operating space, but within the same context, we are calling on authorities to ensure that space barons do not take advantage of the reopening of this market.
We want people who were affected to benefit from this temporary market that was constructed.
We need transparency and accountability and informal economy associations should be involved in the allocation of these spaces.
It must be transparent because we’ve already started seeing signs of some space barons in Mbare trying to take advantage of this process and continue to do the dirty work that they’ve been doing over the years.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy secretary-general Wisbon Malaya said:
<blockquote>
Amid the crisis, there is a lot of desperation taking place among the traders at the Mbare Musika market. And we are now hearing rumours that there is now a new image of space barons.
We are requesting the city fathers and all the law enforcement agents to ensure this issue is taken care of.
We request the city fathers and all the law enforcement agents to make sure the law takes its course so that we do not give room to these barons trying to evade Mbare Musika because of the crisis.
</blockquote>
Space barons are individuals or groups who illegally allocate and control trading spaces in markets and urban areas.
These barons exploit traders by charging them fees for the use of these spaces, creating an environment rife with chaos and unfair practices.
They often interfere with the allocation of vending spots, favouring certain individuals or groups and sometimes leveraging political connections to maintain their grip on power.
Reports suggest that the space barons operating in Mbare Musika are affiliated with the ZANU PF party.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Vendors in Mbare Market want to be protected from space barons who control the allocation of stalls. After a fire destroyed the market, vendors are worried that space barons will take advantage of the rebuilding process. They want fair allocation of stalls so that everyone affected can benefit. Space barons charge fees and create chaos in the market. The vendors are asking the city council and police to stop the space barons from dominating the market. They are also calling for transparency and involvement of informal economy associations in the stall allocation process.

Mbare Market Rebuild: Vendors Call For Protection Against Space Barons

The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Winston Chitanda, has warned space and land barons in Mabelreign, Harare, that their illegal shenanigans will not be tolerated.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 13 February Chitando said only the Ministry or local authorities are empowered by the law to sell, lease or offer a lease with the option to purchase, Stateland or Council land.
Chitando, who was in the company of the Deputy Minister and Permanent Secretary of Local Government and Public Works and Secretary for Harare Metropolitan Province, met with high-level officials from the City of Harare, led by the Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume, the Member of Parliament for Harare West Constituency, Honorable J. Mamombe (MP) and some residents of Ward 16, which covers Mabelereign suburb yesterday. He said:
<blockquote>
It was brought to our attention that there have been and continue to be illegal invasion of greenway spaces in Mabelreign, on Stateland and Council land, led by land and space barons.
I want to make it abundantly clear that Government’s position is that it is illegal to parcel out State land or council land for whatever purpose, which responsibility is bestowed only on local planning authorities.
It is also illegal, for any person who is not authorized by the Ministry or the Council, to sell, lease or offer a lease with option to purchase, of Stateland or Council land.
All stakeholders are encouraged to work together to ensure that there is sanity in the greenways of Mabelreign.
Illegal allocations of land in general and in urban areas, inclusive in greenways in Mabelreign, will not be tolerated.
</blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said that as of 12 February 2024, a total of 3 775 suspects have been arrested with 985 convictions being made by the courts, while 3 360 cases are pending trial under the ongoing Government’s country-wide operation, “No To Land Barons and Illegal Settlements on Land”.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Space And Land Barons Wreak Havoc In Mabelreign

Thirty-one land and space barons have been arrested since the Government launched an operation to clamp down on land barons.
This was revealed by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa while addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday. She said:
<blockquote>
Pertaining to the prosecution of land and space barons, Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that there has been progress on new cases of land barons arrested under criminal abuse of duty and fraud, with a cumulative 31 arrests.
These are high-profile cases being handled by the Criminal Investigations Department in Harare, while low-profile cases are being dealt with at police stations countrywide.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has received a total of 426 cases, and so far 10 convictions have been secured since the operation commenced.
</blockquote>
The Government has been accused of promoting a “catch and release” culture whereby suspected criminals are arrested for show and then released to enjoy their ill-gotten riches.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

31 High Profile Land Barons Arrested - Govt

Harare City Council (HCC) has expressed concern over the invasion of the Fourth Street Bus Terminus by space barons who are creating an illegal market.
In a notice seen by Pindula News, the local government authority urged members of the public not to pay anyone to use the tables on “the illegal market.” Reads the notice:
<blockquote>
Council has noted with concern the invasion of Fourth Street Bus Terminus by space barons who are creating an illegal market.
The City is urging the space barons to remove their shacks before Council moves in to assist.
By this notice members of the public and vendors are being urged not to pay anyone to use tables on the illegal market.
Only council officials are mandated to allocate vending spaces.
Council recognizes the important role played by the informal sector in the national economy especially during this period when our country is facing macro-economic challenges.
We accept that the informal sector is critical in income generation but there is need to balance that with order and compliance with by-laws.
</blockquote>
Harare City Council is reportedly <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/harare-city-losing-millions-of-dollars-to-space-barons-linked-to-zanu-pf-report/">losing millions of dollars in revenue to space barons</a> who are collecting revenue from vendors at the city council’s vending sites.
Reports say vendors are allocated vending stalls by Zanu PF officials, especially under Chipangano and are paying fees to these space barons. 
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Harare City Speaks On Space Barons At 4th St Bus Terminus

CCC Senator for Bulawayo Tsepiso Mpofu has accused suspected ZANU PF activists under the banner Vendors for Economic Development (Vendors4ED) of forcing vendors to pay rentals after allocating them illegal space along 5th Avenue.
In a WhatsApp exchange with one of the space barons, Mpofu accused the ZANU PF-linked activists of stealing from poor vendors and bringing people from outside Bulawayo to trade in the city. She said audio circulating on social media:
<blockquote>
These space barons are bringing people from Masvingo and registering them as voters in Bulawayo as Zanu PF has been struggling to get enough votes in Bulawayo since 2000.
</blockquote>
In response, the space baron said they will allocate space to vendors whether Bulawayo City Council likes it or not. He said:
<blockquote>
We are vendors for Economic Development (ED). If we allocate people stands here, we do not choose whether one is ZANU PF or not.
We do not seek permission, but we simply tell you that we are doing this and that, whether you say you do not want it, we do not care at all.
</blockquote>
Mpofu on Tuesday told Southern Eye she was now being threatened by Vendors4ED who are demanding that she should show them the person who is collecting money from the vendors.
She added that ZANU PF should not politicise vending as vendors are trying to make ends meet.
ZANU PF Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Archibold Chiponda refuted the allegations made by Mpofu. He said:
<blockquote>
Can she provide us with names and details of the people doing this or some evidence? Politics is a numbers game.
If we were to bring people from Masvingo to come and vote in Bulawayo, how do you think ZANU PF as a party in Masvingo will feel?
Of course, we will be reducing their votes in Masvingo, and what senator Mpofu is saying does not make sense.
</blockquote>
Deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube backed Mpofu’s claims, saying the space barons are sabotaging the City of Bulawayo. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
That is what has been happening along 5th Avenue. That is what those hooligans are doing, claiming that they were sent to do so. But soon council will remove them regardless of political affiliation.
They must understand that Bulawayo voters are smart voters, and they are worried whenever they see people sabotaging the council’s vision to develop a smart city.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local-news/article/200005290/zanu-pf-space-barons-fleecing-vendors-senator">Southern Eye</a>

Bulawayo Senator Accuses ZANU PF Space Barons Of Fleecing Vendors

ZANU PF space barons have reportedly taken over the open land close to the closed Mbudzi traffic interchange in Harare and are parcelling it out to vendors for US$50 per square metre.
The roundabout was closed recently to allow for major construction works and hawkers who were doing business on the island have been ordered to move.
ZANU PF space barons have taken advantage of the situation to extort the vendors and are now demanding US$5 a day from each vendor for a vending permit on the route diversions, and an initial US$50 per square metre per month from stall owners.
The land is adjacent to the traffic lights at Malvern Road and Chitungwiza Road in the Hopley area.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development closed off the four roads leading into the Mbudzi interchange on Sunday for a distance of 1.5km in each direction.
One of the affected vendors, who identified himself to <a href="https://cite.org.zw/zesn-calls-for-peace-ahead-of-2023-elections/">ZimLive</a> as Elvis Musera, appealed to the government to intervene and stop the space barons. He said:
<blockquote>
This man told us to pay for a meter-and-a-half and we paid US$50 and today we are told the space is one meter for each. The government should step in and make sure things are not done haphazardly.
</blockquote>
Deputy transport minister Michael Madiro said they will work as fast as possible to ensure that motorists are not inconvenienced longer than is necessary. Madiro said:
<blockquote>
The government appreciates the inconvenience the temporary closure of the roundabout will cause but it is part of the small sacrifices which our people have to make.
It’s one of those instances where the result justifies the means to that end. We will work as fast as we technically can to ensure that we deliver world class infrastructure for the motoring public.
</blockquote>

ZANU PF Space Barons Parcel Out Land Near Mbudzi Roundabout

The City of Bulawayo has approached the Joint Operation Command (JOC) for assistance to remove ZANU PF activists who have illegally converted one of the city’s streets into a vegetable market.
JOC is a security arm comprising officers drawn from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS).
The City of Bulawayo has accused ZANU PF youths and their leaders of taking over 5th Street in the central business district and parcelling it into vending bays for vendors.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the city’s “Big Spring Cleaning Week” launch Monday, Bulawayo Mayor, Solomon Mguni, said:
<blockquote>
They (vendors) were settled here by politicians from the ruling party (ZANU PF) and we have tried to engage both the party and state security apparatus to try and remove them from this road.
… We have held various meetings with JOC and the vendors’ leaders so as to find an amicable solution.
The engagements are continuing and ultimately it is the JOC which should ensure that these people are removed.
</blockquote>
The ZANU PF-linked “vending space barons” are prejudicing the local authority of millions of potential revenue by taking bribes from the displaced informal traders. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/council-ropes-in-army-to-swoop-on-defiant-zanu-pf-aligned-street-vendors/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

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