Leslie Karumbidza
MUTARE-Residents in Chikanga have appealed to the Mutare City Council to find an alternative place to relocate the newly opened Chikanga market which they claim has brought suffering within the community.
The market place, which is located close to residential areas is causing land, air pollution and have seen the number of criminal activities rising within the community as some residents have reported cases of break ins and stolen car batteries.
United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust (UMRRT) Director Edson Dube told TellZim News that it is disheartening that the youth center has been invaded by council through allowing the Chikanga market to continue its operations, and council should look for alternative places to relocate the market away from the sports field which it has invaded.
“We call upon the local authorities to come up with alternative solutions to find a well designated place for the market and withdraw from the sports field as this belongs to the youths.
“The continued use of the Sports Center as a vending site is insensitive as the field was acting as a rehabilitation center for the youths as they could use it to engage in different sporting activities which would take away their minds off drugs and harmful substance abuse,” said Dube.
Charles Moyo a resident in Chikanga expressed his disgruntlement and said the local authority at first did not consult residents about their move to relocate the vendors from Sakubva into the sports field.
“We once wrote a petition to council about the problems which the market has brought to us as residents but up to now they have not replied. The market is causing suffering within our residential areas. Land pollution has been the major problem as council is even failing to provide bins at the site and there is litter everywhere,” said Moyo.
Residents have also complained about noise coming from the market, as well as air pollution is also being experienced.
Mutare Mayor Cllr Blessing Tandi said the market was moved there as a way to decongest and decentralize old markets in Sakubva and it is just temporary setup.
“During the Covid-19 times we saw it fit to decongest Sakubva markets as a way to avoid the spread of the disease as the markets were flooding with many people.
“Council has not yet found an alternative place to move the market away from residential areas and the sporting field but sooner than later the resolution will be out,” said Tandi.
