Bulawayo, (New Ziana)- A growing number of property owners in Bulawayo’s Central Business District (CBD) and downtown areas are partitioning their buildings into small units to accommodate more businesses as a way to boost their revenue.
While this trend is boosting revenue for landlords and providing space for small businesses, it has sparked a heated debate among the city fathers about its long-term impact on the city’s development and image.
The practice, which has become commonplace, involves renovating and dividing large buildings into smaller shops, creating a bustling hub of micro-enterprises.
However, not everyone is convinced this is the right path for the city.
During a recent council meeting, Councillor Melisa Mabeza voiced concern about the trend, arguing that the city should aim higher and build world class malls.
“Council should invite proper investors to build world-class shopping malls. Lettable shops are downgrading our city,” she said.
Mabeza emphasized the need to keep Bulawayo to international standards, rather than settling for fragmented, small-scale developments.
On the other hand, Councillor Khazalani Ndlovu pointed out that the shift from large corporations to small businesses aligns with global economic trends.
“The current economic climate in the city justifies the establishment of these lettable units,” he said. Cllr Donaldson Mabuto highlighted the economic benefits, including job creation and increased revenue for the council through licensing fees.
He also said council should collect more revenue from the licences.
“There is a lot of infrastructure improvement in the city because of these lettable shops. Council will benefit from revenue through levying of licences,” Mabuto said.
Cllr Nkosinathi Mpofu raised alarms over the lack of adequate facilities in some partitioned buildings, noting that some shops housing over 50 tenants share a single toilet.
“The number of toilets should match the number of units. Lettable shops should also be zoned to avoid scattering them haphazardly across the city,” he argued.
Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu acknowledged the challenges but explained that the city is struggling to attract large-scale development and this has forced property owners to adapt.
“Council has a policy on lettable units, and it has been reviewed to ensure compliance with current needs,” he said.
Mayor David Coltart supported the trend, especially in light of the city’s efforts to curb illegal vending and restore order.
“Even in stronger economies, big companies are closing down.Lettable units provide a viable alternative, but they must comply with council policies, including safety measures like firefighting equipment,” he said.
Despite the optimism, a survey by New Ziana shows that many units operate without proper safety measures.
Additionally, exorbitant rental fees reportedly between US$400 and US$450 per month for a small unit have left some shops vacant while illegal vendors crowd the streets.
“Charging US$500 for a tiny space doesn’t make economic sense when I can sell from my car on the street,” said one vendor, who declined to be named.
Others called for the council to collaborate with the Commercial Rent Board to ensure fair rental rates for small businesses.
New Ziana
