Mbare councillor flees angry vendors, touts

A controversial 20-year deal between the Harare City Council (HCC) and its subsidiary City Parking to redevelop the Mbare bus terminus has triggered widespread anger among local vendors and touts, with residents reportedly hunting down Ward 3 Councillor Simbarashe "Dhama" Chanachimwe, accusing him of selling out the community.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), City Parking has been granted control over the redevelopment and management of the busy terminus - a move city authorities say will modernise Mbare but which residents fear will displace hundreds of informal traders who rely on the area for their livelihoods.

Sources told NewsDay Live that tensions escalated last week when groups of vendors and touts confronted Chanachimwe over the deal. The councillor allegedly went into hiding after residents threatened to harm him, though he denied the allegations when contacted for comment.

"I don't know about that," Chanachimwe said. "I am staying at my house. Maybe we can meet for further clarifications."

Chanachimwe, who has previously faced several arrests over alleged drug-related offences, now finds himself at the centre of growing unrest surrounding the Mbare redevelopment plan.

Ward 16 Councillor Denford Ngadziore, who chairs the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Committee, confirmed the existence of the deal but defended it, insisting it serves the broader interests of the city rather than individuals.

"Yes, there is such a deal, but it is going to benefit the Harare City Council, not individuals," Ngadziore said. "Revenue collection will dip temporarily during construction, but once renovations are complete, we expect income to double or even triple because all operators - including buses that used to evade payments - will now contribute."

The City of Harare also confirmed the partnership, describing it as part of efforts to "transform the face of Mbare" and boost municipal income.

A visit to the terminus by NewsDay Live revealed deep anxiety among traders, many of whom said they had not been consulted.

"We saw City Parking and Harare City officials touring the market, and we heard rumours that we are going to be removed," said vendor Tambudzai Sondo. "We want our councillor, Dhama, to explain what is really happening."

Another trader, Timothy Mapfumo, accused local leaders of keeping them in the dark.

"Councillor Dhama has not been forthcoming. He must come and tell us the truth," he said.

According to the HCC, the Mbare redevelopment will include the construction of new shops, electronic boom gates, solar systems, enhanced security, improved signage, landscaping, and beautification works. Public toilets, waiting sheds, sitting areas, and boundary walls will also be upgraded.

However, critics question the financial structure of the deal. Previously, the Mbare terminus was managed by the Markets Department, which remitted about US$116,000 monthly to council coffers. Under the new arrangement, City Parking will pay only US$50,000 per month - a sharp reduction that has intensified scrutiny over the agreement's transparency and financial prudence.

As uncertainty looms, residents are demanding clarity and consultation, warning that without proper engagement, the project could inflame tensions in one of Harare's most economically active suburbs.