Chronicle EditorThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Government has approved the Beitbridge Town Council to be upgraded to municipal status with President Mugabe expected to assent to the request.
The town’s status was reviewed in recognition of its strategic role in Zimbabwe’s economic development.
Beitbridge town secretary, Mr Loud Ramakgapola confirmed the developments yesterday.
“We have since received the communication from Minister Saviour Kasukuwere (Local Government, Public Works and National Housing) on the latest development and that the matter has been referred to President Mugabe for his final decision and legal processes,” he said.
“We are anxiously waiting for the matter to be brought to its finality through all the necessary channels. At the moment we are failing to get cash inflows so that we embark on meaningful projects.”
Mr Ramakgapola said council was owed $20 million by residents and ratepayers, which has slowed down development plans.
He said they had lined up a number of infrastructural development projects as the council strives to turn the border town into a medium modern town.
According to the letter from Minister Kasukuwere, addressed to the town council chairperson, Councillor Showa Moyo, Beitbridge has recorded phenomenal growth since attaining town status in 2006.
“Following the Consultative Commission’s deliberations at your Council, and after careful consideration of all the information pertinent to the conferment of the municipal status.
“I have been satisfied by your socio-economic progress to date and therefore decided that your Council qualifies for the desired elevation.
“Consequently, the requisite legal procedures to ultimately proclaim your council to a municipality by His Excellency, the President in terms of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15), are being pursued and you shall be accordingly informed to the effective date,” reads part of the letter.
The decision by Government to grant Beitbridge Town municipal status follows the appointment of a commission led by Ms Erica Jones, a principal director in the Ministry of Local Government, to look into the local authority’s request. Some of the projects earmarked for the town include tarring of major roads, upgrading of Dulivhadzimo Bus Terminus and other property developments.
Beitbridge Town has an estimated population of 70 000 and a further 13 000 people in transit to and from South Africa pass through on a daily basis.
Through the National Economic Priority Development Programme (NEDPP), an initiative by President Mugabe, Government came up with the Beitbridge Re-development Programme in 2006. The project is meant to transform the port into a modern medium city.
Under the programme a total of 16 blocks flats to house 64 families, mainly middle class civil servants, 250 core houses for home ownership, 52 F14 houses for civil servants, road dualisation, upgrading water supply and sewer infrastructure in the town.
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