Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) notes with distress the burning down of Glen View 8 furniture complex on 02 September 2023.
The fire outbreak, the latest in a stream of many such occurrences is extremely worrisome in that it appears that no lessons have been learnt from the past. Informal economy workers at the complex time and again are losing property worth millions of dollars, with no action being taken by the City of Harare, under whose authority the complex falls, nor central government.
VISET last year undertook a fact-finding mission to the complex and was told of unspecified individuals that charge daily fees for one to operate, as well as a fee that goes towards paying security guards. It is thus disturbing that the cause of fire cannot be established, yet the complex is ostensibly under guard at night.
The right to decent and safe work spaces in this era cannot be downplayed and we urge government in particular to play a leading role in ensuring this issue gets the attention it deserves. We are aware of previous efforts that were made to try and address this issue, but it was allegedly frustrated by certain politically exposed persons that seemingly do not want sanity to prevail.
Informal workers cannot afford to continue suffering such losses, in addition to the debilitating economic environment, more so at a time when their offspring are preparing to go back to school.
As a long lasting solution is being sought, we join our voice to the call for boreholes to be installed at the complex, fire guards and basic disaster management training.
In conclusion, it should be a source of great embarrassment that a complex that generates such significant revenue, and based in the capital city can be in such a rundown state! It is our hope that the incoming Councillors will prioritise the development of this complex to modern standards. As VISET, we remain committed to work with Harare city council to ensure a sustainable solution to arrest the morass
