….as 600k Zimbabweans own retail cubicles in CBDs across ten towns-Research
…..We can’t wish away informal economy takeover-Analysts

By Perpetua Murungweni/Beverly Bizeki

Over 600 000 Zimbabwean entrepreneurs across ten towns now ply their trade from partitioned mall retail units, a situation that has marked the death of departmental and hyper stores in the country, much to the benefit of property owners, real estate investors and tax collectors.
In a research conducted by liberal thinktank COMALISO, lettable partitioned mall retail entrepreneurs have taken over most Central Business Districts (CBDs) across the country, responding to property owners who convert shops into retail cubicles generally not more than 20square metres.
In Masvingo CBD, departmental stores such as Meikles, Tsungai, Truworths, Clicks among others have long been closed, with the properties now partitioned into these small informal retail units.
Government and other commercial buildings like Great Zimbabwe University Heritage Centre, (now Dzimbahwe Mall) ZimParks Building, Kyle House, Mutangiri Building, Victoria Hotel and ZimPost Building now follow the same model.
Attracting this breed of entrepreneurs are new buildings that include Commercial Centre, MUSA Enterprises, Masvingo Trade Centre, Sunrise Mall, among others in Masvingo town.
Masvingo’s Tsungai Complex which is one of the biggest spaces letting out partitioned retail units has about 310 cubicles with spaces averaging US$80 rentals upstairs while spaces downstairs cost about US$110 per month.
The Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (ZimStats) says almost 86 percent of Zimbabwe’s adult population is into informal trade, an indication of decimating formal industry, and according to COMALISO, wishing away these mall retail units, which it called Lettable Partitioned Mall Retail Units (LPMRUs) is mere delusion.
“To hallucinate that this is a passing phase and that departmental stores like Haddon and Sly, H.M Barbours, Meikles, Bradlows will resurrect is nothing but self-delusion,” reads part of COMALISO’s press statement.
Analysts have said that through necessary support, the informal sector can drive economic growth, if only government could come up with policies that regulate taxation, insurance and access to capital.
Economist Collen Jonasi said the informal sector could help eradicate unemployment if properly regulated, however adding that taxation of the informal sector makes it detrimental to the economy, and with a lot of tax evasion by these entrepreneurs, government does not benefit much to a thriving informal sector.
“Informal sector activities are difficult to integrate into the formal economic activities because these people do not want to pay taxes yet tax is one of the major revenue sources for government and since the informal sector is very illusive it then becomes difficult to tax,” Jonasi said.
The informal traders themselves brought up what they said was double taxation by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), because at ports of entry when they are importing goods for resale they pay customs duty, and are required again to pay an additional monthly tax for each retail unit, which they said perpetuates smuggling and tax evasion.
“I find the taxing system burdensome as we are expected to declare our goods at ports of entry while at the same time, you have to pay tax at the end of the month. I think this contributes to the continuous smuggling of goods through borders,” said one trader.
Tsungai Traders Association Chairperson Simon Mungate bemoaned the economic environment in the country which he said was influential to the operating conditions for most traders.
“The economy in Masvingo is largely based on the existence of tertiary institutions that form a fair part of our market. Business was viable when the economy was performing well but now that the economy is not doing well, business only peaks during civil servants’ pay days and when tertiary institutions open.
“We have access to bank loans but the interest rates are quite high for us. New traders also find it difficult to access loans due to either lack of collateral in form of stock or the backing of the association hence they get smaller amounts than required. The payback period is short because paying back in a period of six months is not always favorable,” said Mungate.
Economic analyst Professor Talknice Saungweme said more could be done to equip the informal traders with skills, so they can diversify into manufacturing and other trades, other than just selling imported goods.
“They lack skills and the country needs to take a holistic approach in terms of trying to equip these young people with skills through programs like vocational training, while they are also given space,” Prof Saungweme said.
Research conducted by World Bank Groups, shows that there is little growth in the private sector and this is due to a limited number of quality jobs. Only 33 percent of workers in Zimbabwe receive a salary, well below peers in the region and globally suggesting a limited share of quality jobs despite workers possessing relatively higher skills.
Moreover, competition from informal firms has tended to lower the productivity of formal firms by around 24 percent on average, compared with firms that do not face such competition.
The apathy of economic growth in Zimbabwe, via the formal sector, since the 1980s and more so after the introduction of ESAP in 1991, has led the informal sector to become a key producer of goods and services, becoming a safety net for the jobless. The sector curbs poverty, promotes the concept of self-reliance and inevitably contributes to the economic growth of the country.

By Virginia Njovo

A school head at Chibaya Primary School in Masvingo District is appealing for US$14 500 to undergo a heart surgery in India at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram City.
Misheck Chenjerai (52), told TellZim News that his heart had two blocked valves that were not functioning properly hence the need for heart surgery which is to be done in India.
“In August this year I was diagnosed with a heart problem when I was told that two valves on my heart are not functioning properly and there is need for an operation to be done urgently in India. I am appealing to well-wishers to assist me in raising the required amount so that I get treatment early,” said Chenjerai.
A father of three, Chenjerai said he is going through a difficult time as he can no longer perform heavy duties and that is affecting his family financially.
“I have three children and my wife is also a civil servant. We cannot raise the money needed for the surgery from both our salaries. The condition has made it difficult for me to carry out any side hustles to raise the money as I am no longer able to perform any heavy duties,” he said.
He further said the condition was already affecting his work as a school head as it demands him to do more on the ground which is difficult for someone in his condition.
“Some of the duties required to be performed by a school head need someone who is more active but it is now challenging for me to be more effective due to my health condition,” said Chenjerai.
His wife, Mercy Chenjerai who is also a teacher at the same school said they were going through a difficult time with doctors saying the surgery should be done urgently.
“We are going through a difficult time as a family as my husband’s condition keeps getting worse by the day and we are unable to raise the money. Our plea is for well-wishers to assist us in raising the required amount of money so that he can be able to undergo the required surgery on time,” said Mercy.
Well-wishers can help Misheck Chenjerai and his wife using the details below:

Ecocash: 0774035406
FBC Nostro Account No:
3555 113300172
FBC Account: 3055113300172

Brighton Chiseva

RENCO MINE – Mining operations had to be suspended for two days at Renco Mine amid fears of workers’ death as had been foretold by a local spirit medium whose demands had not been met.
Sources within the mine said the spirit medium told mine management that they had to clear all salary arrears to please the workers, after which they were to conduct an appeasement ceremony so that the mine becomes productive.
Though no comment could be obtained from mine authorities as the General Manager Taurayi Nyamukondiwa was not answering his cellphone, sources said the mine had since engaged local traditional leadership and had back to back meetings trying to map a way forward.
Contacted for comment headman Muchibwa real name Maduviko Manyise confirmed the development but could not shed more light as he referred his spokesperson Maseko Manyise.
Maseko said there were challenges at the mine, of which they were engaged by the authorities and had fruitful discussions which resulted in the workers going back to work.
“There were issues at the mine which I think mine authorities are better positioned to share with you. However, we had a fruitful meeting and we addressed the workers who later went back to work. So now we are working on mapping a way forward to avoid similar issues,” said Maseko.
He said the area, just like any other had some traditional rituals that used to be done but had been forgotten but now the ancestors had come through one of them to revive the practices.
“We know like any area, there used to be traditional rituals and ceremonies that were done but were now being forgotten. The mines used to carry out these with local traditional leaders and that is what we are reviving now. The ancestors are now speaking through the younger generation and some may not understand but that is what we are trying to address,” said Maseko.
Sources who spoke to TellZim News said the mine was failing to honour traditional rites and that was causing all the challenges they were facing and were ignoring what they were told by the spirit medium who allegedly emerged recently after years of silence.
“Three months ago, the medium told the mine to pay workers and make sure they were happy then after that they will appease the ancestors so that the mine becomes productive. He said if they failed to do that, there will be regrettable occurrences and coincidentally, one person died in the mine last week
“The medium warned that if workers go down the mine on September 9 it will be at their own risk. So the mining department refused to go down the mine saying the management should lead the way if they are to go down,” said the source.
Sources said last month the mine recorded one of the lowest productions to ever been recorded and many believed the mediums’ words are coming true.
“The medium said if his demands are not met, the mining machinery will stop working and it will be difficult to get gold. The bow mill in the plant area stopped working on September 3 and only resumed work on September 9 in the afternoon but it was hard operating it.
“As had been warned by the medium, the mine recorded its worst production and recorded less than two grams and that has never happened ever since,” said the source
Another source said the mine was clearing the arrears and had cleared up to June and was left with July and August salaries.