Shamaine Chirimujiri
STAFF WRITER
THE Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president, Denford Mutashu, has sounded an alarm over dilapidated buildings in Harare’s Central Business District (CBD) which he said are unfit and unsafe for business and the public.
Mutashu made the remarks while officially opening fast food retail outlet, EAT n Lick`s 22nd branch along second street and Robert Mugabe in the CBD.
“Eat n Lick stands as a beacon of local business resilience and innovation, supporting our communities by creating jobs, this new branch alone has employed several Zimbabweans, and plays a vital role in Zimbabwe’s food and retail sector.
“However, as we celebrate, it’s also essential to recognise the serious challenges that our retail businesses face. Among these is the issue of exorbitant rentals charged by some building owners.
“Many commercial properties, especially in the CBD, have unfortunately fallen into disrepair, with some buildings now condemned due to their dangerous and dilapidated state,” he said.
Mutashu added: “Despite charging high rents, some landlords fail to invest in necessary improvements, making these spaces unfit for business and unsafe for the public.
“We call upon building owners to prioritise the safety and upkeep of their properties, as this is fundamental to a thriving and safe business environment.
“Zimbabwean businesses contend with multiple regulatory and statutory obligations that include high license fees, council rates, electricity costs, taxation, and the impacts of frequent load-shedding. These burdens can stifle growth, yet businesses like Eat n Lick continue to adapt and persevere, an accomplishment that deserves great respect.”
He also use the opportunity to encourage businesses to run their affairs sustainably.
“I would like to highlight the critical importance of environmental management. As businesses, we bear a responsibility to manage waste sustainably – through reduction, reuse, and recycling.
Environmental stewardship is not only a corporate duty but an investment in the future of our communities and our planet,” Mutashu said.
“A commitment to sustainable practices, including responsible waste disposal, is essential to safeguarding Zimbabwe’s environment for generations to come.”
On her part, Eat n Lick’s marketing executive, Valerie Mandeya, attributed their success to unwavering commitment to excellence.
“This milestone is significant for our business, as we continue to grow and expand. Recently, we successfully launched our 21st outlet in Machipisa (Harare), receiving a warm welcome from the local community. We are thrilled with the market’s positive reception,” Mandeya said.
Mutashu’s misgivings about unsafe buildings in the Harare CBD follow a warning given by the Harare City Council early this year. The municipality warned property owners in the CBD to immediately stop all illegal alterations to their buildings without council approval.
“The City of Harare has noted with concern the rate at which property owners are illegally altering buildings in the CBD and surrounding areas without council approval.
“There has been a sudden increase in the number of buildings with canopies hanging over walkways, water tanks installed on rooftops, billboards installed on facades, altered partition walls and change of use on buildings in the CBD and surrounding areas without approval from the City of Harare,” Harare mayor Jacob Mafume said then.
“Property owners and occupants are advised to remove all illegal additions or alterations to their structures and properties that they installed without approval.”