Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Zimpapers Writer
GWERU City Council (GCC) has unveiled ambitious plans to construct more than 100 primary and secondary schools, secure a new water source, and develop a modern scientific landfill, all in line with Vision 2030.
These plans were announced during a high-level strategic planning retreat held in Bulawayo last week. The retreat came at a pivotal moment following the Government’s introduction of Statutory Instrument 170 of 2025, which sets Minimum Service Delivery Standards for all local authorities.
The new law demands strict compliance across essential service areas, including water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, roads, environmental stewardship, public health and corporate governance. The retreat brought together councillors, senior management, academics, and technical teams to align the city’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan with the compliance thresholds outlined in the Statutory Instrument.
The regulations set ambitious targets for 2026 and 2030, requiring the city to recalibrate its planning, budgeting and operational systems. Gweru Chamber Secretary, Mr Owen Masimba, said SI 170 of 2025 fundamentally changes how councils must plan and deliver services.
“For Gweru, this means our new strategic plan must fully integrate measurable standards, clear timelines and realistic but ambitious service delivery commitments. The Government has set the minimum threshold, and it is now our responsibility to design a pathway that ensures Gweru meets and exceeds these expectations,” he said.
One of the most pressing issues highlighted was water availability, with stakeholders calling for the construction of a new dam to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population. The local authority pumps 65 megalitres per day (MLD) against a rising demand of 125 MLD, driven by population growth, industrial expansion, and increased residential development.
“The gap between supply and demand is no longer manageable through minor interventions. Our compliance obligations under SI 170 of 2025 require reliability, quality, and near-continuous water availability. This means the city must secure new water sources, expand pumping capacity, and invest in a new water treatment plant if we are to meet even the minimum water delivery standards,” said Mr Masimba.
He added that the issue extends beyond engineering and touches on governance, finance and long-term planning.
“As a city, we must mobilise resources, strengthen partnerships, and leverage domestic and international funding to bridge this gap,” he said.
The retreat focused on reconfiguring departmental priorities, updating the Client Service Charter, and ensuring the 2026 budget reflects compliance-driven investments. The city will present quarterly progress reports to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, demonstrating movement toward national benchmarks.
“We must move into a new era of planning — one that is transparent, data-driven, and focused on tangible outcomes,” said Mr Masimba.
Critical areas requiring investment include water augmentation, sewer system upgrades, environmental management systems, modern billing and ERP platforms and strengthened governance. The final outcomes are expected to shape Gweru’s development trajectory for the next five years. With SI 170 now in effect, the City of Gweru faces a defining moment — one that demands bold decisions, stronger systems, and a renewed commitment to service delivery excellence.
Mr Masimba revealed that the city, with about 37 000 households, needs 94 primary schools in the next five years.
“Gweru should ideally operate 31 secondary schools, but the existing stock stands at 20, resulting in a shortfall of 11 secondary schools. This widening education infrastructure gap underscores the urgent need for deliberate investments and strategic partnerships to meet the educational needs of a growing urban population,” he said.
He also confirmed that council has identified alternative land for a new scientific dumpsite as it works on modalities to decommission the current one located in Woodlands Phase 2 suburb. The closure of McFaden Landfill, popularly known as the Gweru dumpsite, will come as a relief to residents who have endured years of air pollution.
