Informal traders in the satellite town of Chitungwiza are allegedly falling victim to land barons who are masquerading as members of the ruling party Zanu-PF.
The land barons have allegedly given themselves powers to allocate land through hooliganism and illegal grabbing of council stands, while using the name of the ruling party.
In an interview, several informal traders operating at Jambanja Peoples Market in Seke South said they are largely operating from the boot of their cars selling groceries and second hand clothes.
“We as the small entrepreneurs we now have double trouble as some people on this particular land are claiming everything as theirs in the name of a political party, thus making everyone fearful of operating in such an unstable environment.
“These individuals also then collect monies from us, about US$5 weekly which in a way we believe it was supposed to go to the City Council or we could be innovative enough to bank that money and build a better and safe structures that are at law for us to operate so that we do not kill livelihoods in these uncertain days of Covid-19,” said Peter Tshabalala.
The market place, which saw a number of illegal structures demolished during the first 21 days of lockdown is just now a clear ground dotted by individuals carrying out their business in an open, dusty and windy space.
This situation has seen traders demanding Chitungwiza Municipality to stop politicking about developments at the market place and effectively address the challenges faced by these traders.
Zimbabwe has a highly informalized economy at over 65 percent.
“Our suffering is because of political scores that these guys in power are trying to achieve at the expense of the general populace and its unfair.
“There have been some court judgements given concerning this land and in the spirit of being progressive the city fathers must work out a plan that will not benefit the land barons who have proven to have some extra powers that are beyond the court orders and they are becoming un-governable something which must not be tolerated in this second republic,” said Israel Mande.
By July 16, Chitungwiza Municipality had issued out a statement trying to address the matter.
“The Municipality has observed continued flagrant violations of the Regional Town and Country lanning Act as a result of invasion of the council properties namely the Zengeza market and the Jambanja Peoples market.
“Going forward there shall be zero tolerance of land barons and space barons and those that are not in agreement with this shall be met with the full wrath of the law,” read the statement.