HARARE - A new upmarket flea market is set to be constructed in the middle of Harare’s oldest high density suburb, Mbare.
The mall which will be situated along Simon Mazorodze Road will stretch from Total Service Station to Daniel Street.
Harare City Council chief-whip, Councillor Peter Moyo, yesterday confirmed the development, saying it was passed in a full council meeting by the Muchadeyi Masunda-led council.
“The previous council which I was part of passed that resolution to have a flea market built at the site. Though it has taken long to be get underway, developments are now moving on as planned,” Moyo said.
He also told the Daily News that although residents initially resisted the idea, they were now warming up to it.
Moyo said the idea of a new flea market or mall came about after noticing that Mupedzanhamo was now overcrowded.
The chief whip said there was no need for a tender because the project is being bankrolled by non-Zimbabweans, who are bringing foreign direct investment.
Insiders at the site of the proposed flea market, which would be the biggest in Zimbabwe, said the plan was similar to that of the Gulf Complex in Harare’s Central Business District.
The market will include clothing and hardware shops among other businesses.
“People are definitely going to benefit because they will have easy access to a wide range of commodities without having to travel long distances,” one of the insiders said.
A concerned resident, Rosa Choto, however, is worried that such a massive project would bring vice to the neighbourhood.
Making comparisons with Mupedzanhamo, Rosa said the mall would be a maze of activity which would even disturb their children.
Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni also confirmed the development but could not shed more light.