Senator Oliver Chidawu, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Harare and the Provincial Joint Operations Command today visited the Glenview 8 Industrial Complex as part of his drive to restore sanity at the site accommodating workers in the informal sector in the capital. Among the dignitaries accompanying Minister Chidawu was Commissioner Erasmus Makodza, the Zimbabwe Republic Police Commander for Harare Province.
“When approached by the Glenview 8 Complex Management Committee with a request to reopen their workplace, we gave the informal sector workers pre-requisite measures to conform to COVID-19 safety requirements before re-opening. Today, together with colleagues in the Joint Operations Command for Harare, we are here to assess the progress in this regard,” Senator Chidawu told journalists during the tour.
In doing this, Senator Chidawu’s office is working hand in glove with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises that is the “nerve’ centre for economic development and empowerment through the development of micro, small to medium enterprises (MSMEs) and Cooperatives in Zimbabwe. The SME ministry also creates and maintains an enabling environment that promotes vibrant micro, small and medium enterprises, and cooperatives.
“We have had five meetings with the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of SMES, Mr. Melusi Matshiya, and also invited him to witness first-hand, the situation on the ground. By the time he came, the toilets here were dysfunctional. We then were instructed to repair and renovate them, and as we are speaking, the toilet block is now fully functional.
“The middle of the complex area was also congested. We decongested it and created space for our customers. In trying to comply with COVID-19 requirements as directed by the authorities, we procured disinfectants, more than 500 litres of hand sanitizers, and 5 thermometers to test everyone entering the complex. In addition to that, we also bought a 5000-litre water tank. As we are speaking, there is adequate water for the toilets and other uses. We have also engaged the City of Harare and worked out a framework for payment of our debt for rates whilst settling current obligations,” said Tawanda Chanakira, the Secretary of the Management Committee of the Glenview 8 Industrial Complex.
Godwills Masimirembwa, the ZANU (PF) Chairman for Harare Province said he was excited about the concern by the government to improve the health outcomes for workers in the informal sector that is currently the biggest employer in the country.
“Government is on a trajectory to empower indigenous Zimbabweans by making sure workers in the SMEs sector operate in a clean environment while adhering to the laws of the country. I am glad that Senator Chidawu is moving around Harare, taking stock of what is happening in the home industries,” Masimirembwa said.
In the interim, the Glenview 8 Complex has been authorized to open for business but strictly adhering to laid down COVID-19 regulations.
