Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
KINGS City developers have expressed interest in securing a direct connection to the Gwayi-Shangani water pipeline as part of efforts to guarantee long-term water security for the fast-growing residential development in Umguza District on the outskirts of Bulawayo.
Speaking during the handover of title deeds to 25 homeowners on Friday, where the Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe was the guest of honour, Radar Holdings chief executive officer Mr Elias Hwenga, who are the property developers, said the move would provide a permanent and reliable water supply solution for the planned residential area that has so far constructed 1 650 residential stands out of the planned 10 000 and remains compliant with the required standards.
The handover of the title deeds complements President Mnangagwa’s Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme, which seeks to provide title deeds to homeowners, some of whom have lived for years in untitled premises, often risking the loss of their properties to unscrupulous land barons.
Title deeds provide legal certainty to property owners and have become a central pillar of Government’s housing and urban development agenda under the Second Republic.
Mr Hwenga said while Kings City is already connected to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) water supply for part of the development and has drilled several boreholes, a link to the Gwayi-Shangani system would strengthen the residential area’s water infrastructure.
“It is our strong desire that Kings City is directly connected to the Gwayi-Shangani water supply system. This becomes a permanent solution for us all,” he said.
Mr Hwenga said the planned Kings City water treatment facility will draw from three sources — boreholes, Bulawayo City Council supply and the Gwayi-Shangani pipeline — to ensure reliable water provision for residents.
He said Umguza Rural District Council has to date managed to drill five prolific boreholes while they have drilled four, bringing to nine the total number of boreholes.
“All this is to ensure we have reliable water supply in the area,” he said.
Mr Hwenga said the company is working closely with Umguza Rural District Council, Bulawayo City Council to align the development with Government’s urban densification agenda.
He said Government’s push towards densification was a progressive policy that private developers fully support.
