Published: 20 May 2025

The fire that tore through parts of the bustling Magaba informal industrial area in Mbare last week has caused damage estimated between US$16,000 and US$20,000, according to Harare City Council officials.

Speaking in an interview, Councillor Denford Ngadziore, chairperson of the City of Harare's Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) committee, confirmed the preliminary loss estimates and said the committee would formally record the figures before escalating the matter to full council.

"When the time comes, we might consider compensation," Clr Ngadziore said, though no specific commitment or timeline was provided.

The councillor said the SMEs committee will convene next week to discuss comprehensive safety and planning reforms for the high-density market area. Proposed measures include the finalisation of lease agreements for Magaba tenants and a replanning initiative that would prioritize the installation of fire hydrants and designated zones for hazardous materials.

"We want to ensure that people selling flammables such as thinners and paint do so separately from others, and that a code of conduct is put in place," said Clr Ngadziore.

According to preliminary assessments, the fire may have been started by a discarded cigarette stub, further underscoring the urgent need for safety regulations. "We suspect that the fire might have been caused by someone who was smoking and dropped a stub, resulting in the fire," he added.

The city is now working on developing a code of conduct that will address unsafe practices such as smoking near flammable goods and promote greater awareness and accountability among traders.

Clr Ngadziore also confirmed that the SMEs committee had visited the scene to assess the extent of the damage and that the fire brigade had managed to contain the blaze before it spread further.

The Magaba complex, one of Harare's oldest and busiest informal trading zones, houses a wide range of small-scale manufacturing and repair operations. While vital to the local economy, the area has long been criticized for its poor safety standards and lack of basic infrastructure, including fire prevention systems.

The latest incident has reignited calls for urgent reforms to improve safety and secure the livelihoods of thousands of informal traders who depend on Magaba for their income.
- the herald