The newly constructed Mbare Musika market is now complete, paving the way for over 2,000 traders to begin operations in the first phase of the project.
This development comes as a relief to traders who were left without a workspace after a devastating fire destroyed the market and their goods last year.
One of Harare’s busiest trading hubs expects the modernised facility to bring renewed hope and stability.
We have finalised a detailed verification process to enable the affected vendors to move into their new premises. This marks a significant milestone for the market, as it begins a fresh chapter in its history.
Farari Hokonya, the acting chief director of the Civil Protection Department, shared updates on the progress: “We received submissions from 5,134 traders who were affected by the fire.
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We have verified 4,253 of these traders, and the first phase of the smart market initiative will accommodate 2,500 of them.
Phase two will accommodate the remaining traders as we construct an additional facility. We have finished the construction and are getting ready to assign spaces soon.
The revamped Mbare Musika market features improved fire prevention systems, larger trading areas, and upgraded sanitation amenities.
Mbare Constituency legislator, Honourable Martin Matinyanya, expressed satisfaction with the initiative: “This approach by the government underlines their commitment to resolving the challenges in Mbare. A priority will be given to fire victims, and it’s encouraging that the project will expand in phases, creating more trading opportunities.
The fire, which struck last year, caused severe losses for many traders who depended on the market for their livelihoods. In response, the government declared the incident a state of disaster and launched the construction of a modernised facility to address the crisis.
