Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Government has completed construction of four garden flats and four duplex flats to accommodate 12 families of civil servants deployed to Beitbridge, as part of the Independence legacy projects being implemented in Matabeleland South Province.
Work on the development had previously stalled due to sectoral challenges but resumed early this year.
The housing scheme, being implemented in two phases, will eventually accommodate 64 families.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, who toured the units this week, said the houses would be commissioned before Independence Day.
Minister Nguluvhe said the project would ease the perennial accommodation challenges faced by Government workers deployed to the border town.
The initiative — which includes F14 houses, duplexes and garden flats — falls under the Beitbridge Redevelopment Project (BRP), being rolled out as part of the National Economic Development Priority Programme (NEDPP).
Minister Nguluvhe said Government had mobilised resources to complete the outstanding units ahead of the national Independence celebrations scheduled for Matobo District.
“We are happy with the progress here, where workers are now putting final interior touches on Phase 1 before the beneficiaries can move in,” said the Minister.
“This project is one of the many legacy projects we are working on as Government in the province.
“So, we have mobilised resources to complete the construction of these houses in a phased approach. We want the beneficiaries to be in the houses before 18 April.”
He said more resources were being mobilised to finish the outstanding houses under Phase 2.
The shortage of manpower has repeatedly been cited as a stumbling block to improving services for both ordinary travellers and commercial goods transporters.
Minister Nguluvhe said additional personnel had been deployed to ensure all phases are completed within the set timeframe.
“Improved access to accommodation would help resolve staff deployment bottlenecks and improve service delivery to both ordinary travellers and commercial transporters passing through the border,” he added.
Deputy Director responsible for Estates and Provincial Coordination in Matabeleland South, Ms Nkosinomusa Ngulube, said Phase 1 of the housing project was 93 percent complete in terms of civil works.
“We expect to move the beneficiaries as soon as we complete the final touches, and we are right on course,” she said.
“Our focus is on Phase 1, which is the construction of four blocks to house 12 families and associated infrastructure. The four blocks consist of two duplex and two garden flats. We are targeting completion of the second phase by the end of this year.”
The latest project follows the recent commissioning by Government of a staff village comprising 220 houses for civil servants deployed to the Beitbridge Border Post — a development that has significantly improved operational efficiency.
