By Sinikiwe Marodza
Harare – The newly constructed Mbare Musika market hailed as a symbol of resilience and urban renewal after a fire gutted the iconic trading space is facing resistance from the vendors it was designed to empower, exposing serious challenges in policy implementation, behavioural economics, and market integration.
Officially opened a few months ago, the new market boasts modern trading bays, running water, sanitation facilities, waste management systems, and a dedicated police post — a significant upgrade from the previously congested and unhygienic conditions.
However, despite these improvements, foot traffic remains worryingly low, and many vendors continue to operate from the ruins of the old market, which was informally revived using makeshift materials.
“At face value, this market is ideal,” said Mrs Tembo, a vendor who operates from the new complex.
“The working environment is clean and secure. We have toilets and safety services — everything we cried for. But business is slow because customers still go to the old market.”
“I think officials should re-consider their decision to allow the old market to continue operating. If we can all come here our customers will be left with no option than to just come and buy this side.
“Customers are still going to the old market because they are used to going there, and it has inconvenienced us, the vendors who have fully migrated to this new market”
The root of the problem lies in regulatory inconsistency. Authorities have permitted the continued operation of the old site, which now functions as an unregulated but fully active parallel market. This dual existence is creating economic fragmentation, distorting demand patterns, and diluting the commercial value of the new investment.
A walk through the old market reveals informal stalls rebuilt with plastic sheeting, wood, and iron sheets — clear signs of a makeshift economy. Yet, the site remains a hive of activity, attracting more customers than the formal facility.
From a business standpoint, this signals a failure in change management and stakeholder engagement. According to informal sector analyst Maudy Musande, infrastructure development without behavioural transition is bound to falter.
“This is a textbook case of infrastructure without institutional alignment,” she said. “You can’t modernise informal trading by building structures alone. There has to be a clear exit plan for old spaces, backed by enforcement and incentives.”
Vendors in the new market are already raising concerns about low returns on investment. Many report paying council fees and rentals for stalls that are not generating adequate revenue to cover costs.
