Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
SERVICING of medium-density stands in Doelfontein Suburb, Gwanda, has resumed under a partnership between the local authority and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) — a development set to ease accommodation challenges in the mining town.
The town is burdened with over 3 000 underdeveloped stands due to setbacks with previous developers, and efforts are now underway to ensure that serviced land is made available to residents. Gwanda’s housing waiting list stands at around 2 000.
The area, which comprises three phases, was earmarked for development in 2015. A land developer contracted at the time successfully serviced Phases One and Two, but later abandoned the project, leaving Phase Three only partially developed.
Servicing of the stands had initially been expected to conclude in 2019, enabling residents to begin construction.
However, illegal miners invaded the area, damaging infrastructure such as water pipes that had already been installed.
In response, Gwanda Municipality engaged the ZDF to resume development.
Speaking after a site visit to Doelfontein with ZDF officials, Gwanda Mayor Alderman Thulani Moyo said the move was part of broader efforts to ensure land developers honor their contractual obligations.
“As council, one of our mandates is to provide people with land for residential purposes. In 2015, we developed a layout plan for the Doelfontein area, allocating over 700 stands for residential use. The Zimbabwe Defence Forces took up most of these stands, while a few were allocated to residents.
ZDF adopted the area and engaged a land developer, who serviced Phases One and Two, but Phase Three was left unserviced. Illegal miners had invaded the area, which became a major concern. After further engagement and due process, ZDF managed to secure another land developer,” he said.
Alderman Moyo revealed that the new developer, Tashinga Housing Trust, is expected to complete the work within four months.
He added that the development of the land would help the council fulfil its mandate under the “Call to Action: No Compromise to Service Delivery” initiative.
Some of the undeveloped areas had become hotspots for criminal activity and unhygienic practices such as open defecation and illegal squatting.
“We appreciate the efforts made by ZDF to ensure the land is developed. This will help us reduce our waiting list, which currently exceeds 2,000. Our new approach is that we will no longer tolerate developers who sit on land while people are in desperate need of living space.
“Our town’s population is growing rapidly, and we must ensure that all land allocated for residential purposes is put to proper use. We have three other developers in the town sitting on about 3 000 stands, which are long overdue. We will be engaging them to ensure they honour their contracts,” he said.
Alderman Moyo also noted that some of the undeveloped areas are earmarked for critical infrastructure such as clinics, schools, and recreational facilities — but these cannot be constructed until the land is properly serviced. —
@DubeMatutu
