Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
HUNDREDS of civil servants under the Accelerated Presidential Housing Scheme are now proud homeowners at Emthunzini, on the outskirts of Bulawayo, marking a major milestone in the Government’s drive to deliver affordable and decent housing in line with Vision 2030.
The four-roomed houses, constructed by Hawkflight Properties and Maharba Properties, are fully serviced with water, sewer reticulation and electricity, transforming what was once a dream into a lived reality for many low and middle-income public sector workers.
The project, targeting civil servants on a zero-deposit model, is expected to deliver about 4 000 housing units, shared equally between the two developers.
Financing is being provided through the National Building Society (NBS), backed by National Social Security Authority (Nssa) pension funds.
For many beneficiaries, the scheme represents an escape from years of renting and housing insecurity.
“I have been dreaming of owning my own home for years since I joined the civil service 10 years ago, but the prohibitive prices charged by land developers made it impossible,” said Mrs Primrose Ncube, a teacher at a primary school in Old Pumula.
“When I heard about the Accelerated Presidential Housing Scheme and the affordable administration fee, I could not let the opportunity slip.
Many people have lost money in bogus housing schemes, but this one gave us confidence because no one would risk using the President’s name in a fake project,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Sibusiso Ngwenya, beamed with pride as he showed off his new home.
“Today, I am a proud owner of a four-roomed house with water, electricity and a working sewer system. I used to pay US$200 for a two-bedroomed rental house, which is more than what I will now be paying monthly for the next 15 years,” he said.
“My biggest fear was renting for the rest of my life, but this scheme has given us dignity and security.”
Beneficiaries say the houses were built to acceptable standards and supported by proper infrastructure.
“A lot of civil servants have moved here permanently. The sewer system was finally connected after a visit by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, last year,” said Ms Sandisiwe Gumbo, another beneficiary.
Last year, hundreds of housing units around Bulawayo were connected to water and sewer services after the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) and Umguza Rural District Council agreed to share reticulation infrastructure following Government intervention.
The move resolved a long-standing dispute between the two local authorities, which had left homeowners in parts of Umguza’s urban settlements relying on Blair toilets and boreholes despite living within the metropolitan zone.
Under Presidential Proclamation 15E of 2004 and subsequent Statutory Instruments, Bulawayo and Harare were designated metropolitan provinces with boundaries extending up to 40 kilometres. In Bulawayo’s case, the city is surrounded by Umguza District, complicating expansion amid rapid population growth and rising housing demand.
Previously, BCC had accused Umguza RDC and land developers of constructing houses near council boundaries while expecting Bulawayo to provide services without agreed terms. Suburbs such as Mbundane and Emthunzini became flashpoints, remaining unconnected to sewer infrastructure for years.
“It is important that BCC and Umguza RDC work together and not in isolation,” Minister Garwe said during a visit to the scheme last year.
“Some services can be best provided by Bulawayo City Council, while Umguza RDC can also deliver others. What matters is that residents get decent services.”
The minister commended the project, noting that it met key human settlement standards.
“I am happy to see tarred roads, connected water and sewer systems. This is a well-planned project that meets the requirements for human settlements,” said Minister Garwe.
Nationally, Government has surpassed its target of 220 000 housing units set last year, as it intensifies efforts to address Zimbabwe’s housing backlog and improve living conditions for civil servants and low-income earners in line with Vision 2030.
Last year, the Government unveiled an ambitious housing drive aimed at breaking long-standing barriers to home ownership by recapitalising the Housing Guarantee Fund and the National Housing Fund, a move expected to unlock mortgage finance and accelerate the delivery of affordable homes.
At the heart of the strategy is the recapitalisation of the Housing Guarantee Fund and the National Housing Fund — twin interventions expected to unlock long-term mortgage finance, de-risk lenders and accelerate the delivery of affordable homes for low and middle-income earners.
The new approach marks a clear departure from incremental housing delivery towards a large-scale, finance-driven model that prioritises affordability, access and modern standards.
Under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), housing development is a key national priority aimed at overcoming the national housing backlog of two million units, thereby ensuring access to affordable, decent and modern housing and social amenities such as water, sanitation, electricity, education and health facilities.
Over the NDS2 period, Zimbabwe is targeting the delivery of one million houses and serviced stands in both urban and rural areas at an estimated cost of US$15 billion. Funding will be mobilised from a mix of fiscal resources, private-sector investment and long-term capital from insurance companies, pension funds and other financial institutions.
