Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
BEITBRIDGE Rural District Council has initiated a transformative project to upgrade Lutumba Growth Point into an urban centre.
This development is part of a broader land development programme aimed at addressing accommodation challenges in Beitbridge town.
Located about 20km north of Beitbridge along the Masvingo Highway, Lutumba has seen rapid growth over the past decade, serving numerous villages in the Beitbridge East Constituency.
Mr Peter Ncube, the acting CEO of Beitbridge RDC, announced that 300 residential stands have already been serviced, complete with roads, water supply and a standard dumpsite.
“We are well on course with this urbanisation drive of Lutumba Growth Point,” he stated.
In addition to residential developments, the project includes plans for essential facilities, such as a polyclinic that is currently being constructed by the Catholic Church.
New schools are being constructed to meet the educational needs of the growing population, while the council has serviced 16 light industries and 80 commercial stands with necessary utilities.
Mr Ncube said the water reticulation programme is ongoing, with several boreholes drilled to ensure a consistent water supply.
Most properties in Lutumba are now electrified and residential stands are equipped with septic tanks for affordable sanitation.
A standard dumpsite has been established west of the business centre, further supporting the goal of modernising the growth point into a peri-urban centre.
With plans for an airport in the Ha Makhavhane area, Mr Ncube is optimistic about Lutumba’s potential as a vibrant hub due to its strategic location along a major highway and proximity to the Beitbridge Border Post.
The growth point currently houses a police base, a vocational training centre, a private surgery, and various Government agencies, positioning it as a critical player in the development of Beitbridge East and the surrounding district.
As the Beitbridge RDC continues its urbanisation efforts, Lutumba Growth Point is poised to become a key centre of activity, contributing significantly to the economic and social development of the region.
