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By Daniel Kachere
Harare Metropolitan Province is losing several United States dollars in revenue following the continued sprouting of space barons and operations of unlicensed businesses within the capital, Nhau has learnt.
This is contained in a public notice issued by the Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Tafadzwa Muguti warning parties involved in these illicit activities to restore order within the next 14 day or face prosecution.
Muguti highlighted that the increase in numbers of space barons who allegedly name drop and use political parties to raid council markets and pocket money accrued from spaces allocated to individuals has deprived the City Fathers of revenue in excess of US$250 000 daily.
“For some time now there has been a public outcry on the continued hijacking of council markets by criminals abusing political parties affiliation and name dropping. We estimate that in excess of US$250 000 a day is being collected from desperate vendors and traders by these syndicates commonly referred to as space barons.”
“Places such as the recently invaded Urban Renewal Project land in Mbare, Mupedzanhamo, Mbare Musika, CocaCola Market, Glen View Home Industries, Jambanja and several open markets are being controlled by space barons.”
Muguti said the province was also worried by the increase in businesses operating without Council and Government permits especially in the Central Business District and medium to low density suburbs.
“These include retail stores, bottle stores, night clubs, lodges, hair salons, car sales, restaurants and companies in offices.
“To this effect the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution will lead a Provincial Task Force to deal with space barons and non-complaint businesses operating in the Province.
He said the task force will comprise of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), National Social Security Authority (NSSA), Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the Zimbabwe Republic police (ZRP), City of Harare, Chitungwiza Municipality, Ruwa Local board, Epworth Local Board and the Provincial Medical Directorate.
“Non-complaint businesses are encouraged to regularize their operations within the next 14 days in order to avoid being shutdown, fined and prosecuted where such applies,” reads the public notice.
In January this year there was a public outcry after City of Harare razed down structures it deemed illegal that sprouted in Mbare as a result of illegal allocations to unsuspecting individuals by these rogue space barons.
This forced Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Oliver Chidawu to issue a statement promising that Government will restore order by opening Mupedzanhamo flea market and move vendors to Shawasha grounds.
“As you are aware, on January 8 the Harare City Council commenced demolitions of illegal structures in Mbare and regained control of public toilets which had been forcibly taken over by space barons who were charging members of the public a premium to get access to the toilets.
“We had just resolved that those who had been trading in the streets are now all going into the Shawasha grounds. All will be accommodated there. That is where they are going to trade.
“We have resolved to appoint a committee and will open Mupedzanhamo now, so no one will be in the streets,” he said then.
However, this remains nothing but a white elephant five months down the line and the structures have been restored right under City of Harare and Government’s watch. Nhau/Indaba
