Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Herald Reporter
EPWORTH is on the verge of becoming Zimbabwe’s newest town, with the local authority awaiting the gazetting of a Statutory Instrument that will formally elevate the settlement from a local board to a town council.
The long-awaited development marks a major milestone in Epworth’s transformation into one of the country’s fastest-growing urban settlements.
It is expected to strengthen local governance, improve service delivery and unlock greater investment opportunities.
Speaking at a full council meeting today, Epworth Local Board chairperson Councillor Nyarai Rutsito welcomed the imminent change, describing it as recognition of the progress made by the local authority.
“It shows we are working hard, so we are thankful,” she said.
Epworth Local Board town secretary Dr Wilton Mhanda said all the necessary processes had been completed and the local authority was now awaiting the publication of the Statutory Instrument that will officially confer town status.
“We are now awaiting the Statutory Instrument, which could be issued at any time, to formally grant Epworth town status,” he said.
Attaining town status will usher in a new phase of development for Epworth by upgrading its local governance structure and enhancing its capacity to plan, finance and manage urban growth.
The new status is expected to strengthen the local authority’s ability to attract public and private investment, improve infrastructure development, expand service delivery and support orderly spatial planning in line with the area’s rapidly growing population.
Town status will also enable the local authority to exercise broader administrative and developmental responsibilities provided for under Zimbabwe’s urban local government framework.
Located on the southeastern outskirts of Harare, Epworth has evolved from a small settlement into one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing urban communities, driven by rapid population growth and expanding economic activity.
Despite this growth, the area has long grappled with infrastructure deficits, including inadequate roads, water supply, sewer reticulation and waste management services, challenges that local leaders hope will be addressed more effectively once town status is attained.
