Harare officials say they're close to settling on new fees for traders at the temporary Mbare market. The city needs about US$25 monthly from each vendor, and Masimba Construction wants another US$30 per month from traders. This comes to roughly US$65 total—way less than the US$580 figure that scared everyone earlier.
Councillor Denford Ngadziore told The Herald Online about these new numbers. He leads the SMEs committee handling this issue. Vendors had complained loudly about that massive US$580 monthly charge at the new temporary market. That high amount would have totaled US$1.4 million every month from all vendors combined. The city currently asks just US$25 monthly for trading spots in Mbare markets.
The original US$580 fee costs more than renting an actual shop downtown in Joina City's fancy area. Market officials called these rates completely unreasonable for small traders. They thought the charges made no sense at all. Many vendors still struggle after losing everything in that terrible fire. The government even declared that blaze an official disaster because it hurt so many businesses.
Councillor Denford Ngadziore told The Herald Online about these new numbers. He leads the SMEs committee handling this issue. Vendors had complained loudly about that massive US$580 monthly charge at the new temporary market. That high amount would have totaled US$1.4 million every month from all vendors combined. The city currently asks just US$25 monthly for trading spots in Mbare markets.
The original US$580 fee costs more than renting an actual shop downtown in Joina City's fancy area. Market officials called these rates completely unreasonable for small traders. They thought the charges made no sense at all. Many vendors still struggle after losing everything in that terrible fire. The government even declared that blaze an official disaster because it hurt so many businesses.
