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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
Zvishavane Town Council has completed the construction of a $200 000 flea market that will accommodate up to 500 traders.

In an interview yesterday, town secretary Mr Tinoda Mukutu said the flea market would bring sanity to the mining town as it would decongest pavements and streets as the informal traders who were operating there would be moved to the new market.

“I am happy to say that construction of the state-of-the-art $200 000 flea market in the central business district along Buchwa Road is now complete and it is only waiting for commissioning before the traders move in,” he said.

“The flea market will accommodate over 500 traders. We are expecting that this move will improve the ambience of our town as currently vendors are dotted all over.”

Mr Mukutu said the local authority is aiming to transform the town into a sustainable city where efficient services are available at properly designated sites.

“We believe smart cities attract investment,” he said.

“The current scenario is an eyesore. Currently, some flea market traders occupy a parking lot in the Central Business District during weekends and this will soon be a thing of the past.”

Meanwhile, Mr Mukutu said council had also rehabilitated some of its recreational facilities that had not been functional.

“We have also resuscitated the Shabanie swimming pool to the tune of $20 000,” he said.

“It has been neglected for a long time, but since February it is now up and running and open to the public,” he said.

“We are also eyeing to improve sporting facilities. There is a council ground in Mandava suburb, which we plan to develop into a modern sporting hub for children.”

He said they were still seeking partners to rehabilitate the Mabula Sewer Ponds and to resuscitate the Runde Water Plant at a cost of $400 000 as the local authority gears for a boom in population.

There has been steady growth in population in Zvishavane, which has been brought about by mining activities, as well as the opening of a campus that caters for about 3 000 students at the new Midlands State University (MSU) campus.

Over 8 000 housing units in Mabula are under construction, which is one of the many developments in the mining town while other housing developments currently underway include Eastlea Extension, Emthonjeni and Light Industrial area among other expansion projects.