By Dickson Bandera
For the umpteenth time, fire has razed the Glen View Area 8 Home Industry Complex, destroying goods worth millions of dollars and leaving traders counting heavy losses yet again. The recurring infernos highlight a long-standing failure to find lasting solutions to safety challenges at one of Harare’s busiest informal trading hubs which house over 2 000 traders.
In response, the government will tomorrow dispatch a high-level delegation led by three Cabinet ministers to assess the damage and chart sustainable measures to prevent future disasters.
The visiting delegation includes:
Hon. Daniel Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works
Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development
Hon. Jenfan Muswere, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services
The visit will kickstart a whole-of-government approach to finding lasting solutions — including the possibility of constructing a modern, properly managed and fire-resistant complex.
However, the repeated fires also expose glaring gaps in local governance and enforcement by the Harare City Council. Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume visited the site together with Civil Protection Unit Chief Director Mr Nathan Nkomo early this Sunday morning to assess the damage and engage affected traders as the city battles to address the fire crisis on different parts of the city.
Frequent fires have become an alarming trend at informal markets across Harare, with Mbare Musika being another hotspot until new structures were recently built to curb the problem.
Traders at Glen View have long called for better infrastructure, stricter fire safety measures, and more support to safeguard their livelihoods from repeated losses.
