By Prince Chese
Vendors from Mashavire and Rank Markets in Beitbridge are concerned about poor market conditions and have asked the Beitbridge Municipality to address the issues posing serious health risks.
Luckson Mavidza, a vendor from Mashavire Market, appealed to the Municipality of Beitbridge to construct temporary market shelters to protect perishable goods.
He explained that the current umbrella-style market structures expose produce like tomatoes, onions, and oranges to direct sunlight, causing them to rot quickly.
Mabidza was speaking during a well attended mid-term budget review meeting held in the council boardroom.
“At Mashavire, we are asking the municipality to build temporary stands because the current umbrellas expose our fruits and vegetables to too much heat. This is making us lose our stock,” said Mavidza.
Another vendor from Rank Market, who chose to remain anonymous, raised health concerns about the environment near their vending area.
She said that people from nearby beer outlets often urinate on the market boundary wall after drinking, subjecting the market to bad oduor and unhygienic expose.
“There are shebeens opposite our market. After drinking, some people urinate on the walls of our market. This is not good for hygiene, especially where we sell food,” she said.
She also said that the problem of sewage leaks near the market, warning that the untreated waste water could lead to diseases like cholera.
She asked the municipality to install clean water taps to improve hygiene for vendors who need to wash fruits and vegetables.
“There are sewage pipes leaking near our stalls. We need proper drainage and water taps to prevent disease,” she said.
The vendor also said that despite the municipality collecting market fees from vendors, there has been no visible development to improve conditions.
She asked the municipality to secure the market with gates because animals which roam the border town ate their produce.
“They tell us the money we pay will help improve the market, but we haven’t seen any progress,” she said.
The concerns raised call for urgent action from the local authorities to improve infrastructure, hygiene, and service delivery at Beitbridge’s informal markets.