Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka [email protected]
AS the nation commemorated the 27th anniversary of the death of Father Zimbabwe, Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, City of Bulawayo councillors have called on the local authority to uphold one of the liberation icon’s enduring ideals by accelerating the delivery of residential stands to residents.
According to the latest council minutes, councillors said increasing access to land and home ownership would not only address the city’s growing housing backlog but also perpetuate Dr Nkomo’s vision of empowering ordinary Zimbabweans.
The issue was raised during deliberations on the Housing Administration Monthly Report for April 2026, where councillors expressed concern over the ballooning housing waiting list and delays in servicing residential stands.
Ward 22 Clr Mmeli Thobeka Moyo said demand for residential stands continued to outstrip supply, with many residents having remained on the waiting list for years.
He noted that the situation had been worsened by the return of many Zimbabweans from neighbouring countries following increasing cases of xenophobia.
“A number of residents have been holding residential waiting list forms for many years, yet Council has not been able to provide them with stands. At the same time, many Zimbabweans are returning home and require accommodation,” he said.
Supporting the sentiments, Ward 3 Clr Mxolisi Mahlangu said land ownership was one of the ideals that inspired Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and remained central to the vision espoused by Father Zimbabwe.
He said Dr Nkomo consistently championed the empowerment of indigenous Zimbabweans through equitable access to land and economic opportunities.
“The armed struggle was largely influenced by the question of land. The late Vice-President Dr J.M.N. Nkomo also placed great emphasis on empowering citizens by giving them land,” said Clr Mahlangu.
“Land gives people dignity. Council still has large tracts of undeveloped land which could be leveraged through partnerships to acquire plant and equipment, service more residential stands and make them affordable to local residents.”
He warned that the inability of many Bulawayo residents to afford residential stands was creating room for those with greater financial capacity to dominate the market.
“Priority should be given to residents who have been on the waiting list for many years. These are the people who have patiently waited for Council to fulfil its mandate.”
Clr Perseverance Nyathi also underscored the importance of secure land tenure, saying title deeds remained critical in giving residents full ownership of their properties.
She welcomed the Government’s ongoing programme to digitise title deeds, saying many residents were seeking information from councillors on the initiative.
“A lot of residents are asking about the digitisation of title deeds. It would be beneficial for councillors to undergo a workshop so that we can adequately explain the programme to residents,” she said.
Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, acknowledged the magnitude of the city’s housing challenge, revealing that Council’s residential waiting list had now reached about 140 000 applicants.
He said the local authority was committed to increasing the supply of serviced residential stands.
“The residential waiting list currently stands at about 140 000. That figure is far too high and efforts will be made to provide more residential stands,” he said.
On the digitisation of title deeds, Clr Coltart said the programme was still in its formative stages.
“The issue of digitisation of title deeds is still at its infancy. The initial challenges are being addressed and once that process has stabilised, Council can organise a workshop for councillors.”
The committee’s recommendations were subsequently adopted by Council.
The deliberations come as Zimbabwe reflects on Dr Nkomo’s enduring legacy of national unity, empowerment and social justice, with councillors indicating that expanding access to residential land would be a practical way of advancing the ideals championed by Father Zimbabwe during the liberation struggle and after Independence.
