The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, declared a state of disaster on October 14 following the Mbare fire on October 8, 2024.
In a press release issued on Monday October 14 by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, President Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster following the Mbare fire.
What was the impact?
According to the government, the fire on October 8 affected over 4,000 traders whose livelihoods were affected. The declaration, under article 27, paragraph 1, of the Civil Protection Act, paves the way for the mobilization of resources, the reconstruction of the market and assistance to those affected by the fire.
The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo, stressed that the government, in collaboration with private sector partners and other stakeholders, was working to speed up market recovery and ensure that affected contractors could resume operations as soon as possible.
Mbare Musika is the main fruit and vegetable market in Mbare, a suburb of Harare, Zimbabwe. It serves as a distribution center for agricultural produce in Zimbabwe.