Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
BULAWAYO Ward 26 councillor, Mpumelelo Moyo, said the signing into law of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Act No. 3 (CAA3) will strengthen continuity in local governance, enabling the city to accelerate major infrastructure and investment projects critical to its long-term development.
Speaking on the implications of the constitutional amendments, Clr Moyo, who also chairs the city council’s finance and development committee, said extending the tenure of local authority councillors would preserve institutional memory and allow elected officials to oversee strategic projects from planning through to completion.
He said the city had already positioned itself for growth by aligning with President Mnangagwa’s call for local authorities to uphold minimum service delivery standards and embrace long-term development planning.
“Bulawayo was the first local authority to submit its master plan as directed by His Excellency President Mnangagwa through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. Master plans ensure that every square metre of a city is planned for and utilised productively,” said Clr Moyo.
He said one of the council’s earliest resolutions after the 2023 harmonised elections was to approve the expansion of the city’s central business district beyond its traditional boundaries between Lobengula Street and Parirenyatwa Street.
According to Clr Moyo, the expansion has opened new investment opportunities in suburbs such as Khumalo and Famona, attracting developments including restaurants, hotels, lodges and office complexes that are creating employment and stimulating economic activity.
He said Bulawayo is also benefitting from ongoing investment at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC), formerly the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds, where new commercial and tourism facilities are under development.
“Today the facility hosts a wider range of activities beyond the annual Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and mining exhibitions. New attractions such as Bounce City Bulawayo have broadened its appeal, while a hotel and modern conference centre are under construction,” he said.
Clr Moyo said the city’s growth trajectory was being reinforced by compulsory master planning and Government’s drive to modernise urban centres.
He cited the restoration of the City Hall fountain and ongoing beautification programmes as examples of efforts to improve the city’s image while meeting minimum service delivery standards.
The councillor said several local development plans are also progressing, including the 68-hectare Ascot Local Subject Plan Number 20, which has already been gazetted.
“Projects such as Ascot Local Subject Plan Number 20 require continuity and consistent monitoring. The extended tenure provided under CAA3 offers an opportunity for councillors who initiated such projects to see them through to completion,” he said.
Clr Moyo also highlighted proposed investment in rehabilitating Bulawayo’s ageing water infrastructure, saying long-term projects required consistent leadership to ensure implementation was not disrupted.
“As Bulawayo, we urgently need sustainable water solutions. We cannot afford to continuously restart projects and ideas that never reach completion. CAA3 provides assurance that major projects can be monitored consistently and implemented effectively for the benefit of residents,” he said.
Clr Moyo expressed confidence that the constitutional amendments would support Bulawayo’s long-term development agenda and contribute to transforming the city into a modern, competitive urban centre.
Bongani Moyo