Masvingo re-opens vendors’ markets

Masvingo (New Ziana) – Vending markets in the central business district of Masvingo will be re-opened next month, three months after they were shut down due to Covid-19, a senior municipal official has said.

Like elsewhere in the country, the vending markets in the city – Garikai and Leopold Takawira Flea markets – were closed as a precaution against the spread of Covid-19.

But Masvingo acting town clerk, Edward Mukaratirwa said council was revamping the markets, focusing on health and hygiene issues, to ensure these did not pose a health hazard when they re-open.

Government had ordered local authorities to take advantage of the closure of public markets across the country to revamp them, particularly as far as provision of sanitary services.

Mukaratirwa said some of the work to revamp the markets in Masvingo was still in progress, but “our anticipation is that by the first week of August the vendors must be starting to operate.”

He said council had also re-registered beneficiaries to take up vending space once re-opened, a move intended to ensure orderly business at the facilities.

Over 5 000 prospective vendors have so far registered with the municipality.

New Ziana