Over 200 Bulawayo SMEs count losses after industrial site inferno

 More than 200 small and medium entrepreneurs are grappling with the aftermath of a devastating fire that gutted their goods and machinery at the Save The Nation Industrial Site in Bulawayo on Monday night.

The blaze, which broke out under unclear circumstances, has left many operators without income or livelihoods, prompting urgent calls for government and stakeholder intervention and support.

Entrepreneurs who spoke to ZBC News described the incident as a catastrophic setback that erased years of hard work and investment.

"It took us more than 10 years to build up our workspaces and purchase machinery. Now we have lost everything," said one visibly distressed entrepreneur.

"We are pleading for assistance from the government and all willing partners. This is our only source of income," another affected business owner added.

Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs Programme Coordinator, Mr Nketha Dlamini, confirmed the fire and noted that a full assessment of the damage is still underway before any appeals for support are made.

"We are very sorry about what happened to our fellow SMEs. What I can say is that we are yet to assess the damage before engaging other stakeholders to see how best they can assist these businesses," Mr Dlamini said.

The SME sector remains a critical pillar of Zimbabwe's economy, accounting for over 50 percent of employment and playing a significant role in driving industrialisation and innovation.

As affected entrepreneurs await aid, the community and authorities are called upon to mobilise resources to help restore these vital businesses and livelihoods.