Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
GOVERNMENT has moved to complete a long-stalled housing project in Beitbridge as part of efforts to ease accommodation challenges for civil servants in the border town.
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe yesterday toured the Beitbridge Redevelopment Housing project, where 16 garden flats are under construction. Once finished, the flats will accommodate 64 families.
The project, which began in 2006, but stalled due to funding challenges, has been revived under the Second Republic. It is now a priority, with completion of the first phase targeted within the next three months, ahead of the province hosting the 46th Independence Day celebrations.
“We are speeding up the completion of this initiative as part of the legacy projects of the Second Republic. This is being done in phases. The first phase includes the completion of four blocks to accommodate 16 families,” said Minister Nguluvhe during the tour.
He emphasised the urgency, noting the project’s visibility along the major highway from the border.
“I have seen the workers and engineers on the ground who have assured me that the project is on schedule for completion as planned provided all the material is delivered on time. As directed by President Mnangagwa, this project should be completed before we host the 46th independence as Matabeleland South province.”
The Deputy Director responsible for estates and coordination in Matabeleland South, Ms Nkosinomusa Ngulube, reported that Phase 1 is 87 percent complete.
“This is a critical Government initiative to provide affordable accommodation for civil servants, aligned to Vision 2030,” she said.
“The current focus is on phase 1 which is the construction of four blocks to house 12 families and associated infrastructure.”
Beitbridge District Development Coordinator, Mrs Sikhangezile Mafu, said there is an acute need for housing in the town.
“Many civil servants are finding it hard to pay rent which is relatively high because of the town’s location and proximity to a busy regional and international border,” she said.
“On the development side, the housing complex will improve the quality of infrastructure in our district. It will also reduce the national housing waiting list and reduced pressure from civil servants inquiring about accommodation.”
The revived flats project complements a newer 220-unit staff village, commissioned east of the town, which was developed through a public-private partnership.
Together, these initiatives aim to resolve staff deployment bottlenecks and improve service delivery at Zimbabwe’s busiest port of entry.
