Matabeleland North civil servants ready to relocate to Lupane

MATABELELAND North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Richard Moyo has announced that civil servants are prepared to relocate to Lupane, the provincial capital, ahead of the September 1 ultimatum set by the Government.

The directive for the relocation was issued by the Government last week as part of ongoing efforts to decentralise administrative functions and enhance the development of the provincial capital.

Lupane, which has been designated as the capital of Matabeleland North for several years, is set to see a significant boost in activity as Government offices and services are fully established in the town.

Provincial Government services will start operating from Lupane on September 1, marking a significant shift from their present Bulawayo base. The lack of housing has been cited as one of the major causes for the delay of the relocation, forcing most civil servants from Matabeleland North to operate from the Mhlahlandlela Government Complex in Bulawayo, impacting the efficiency of services and bleeding the fiscus.

Minister Moyo confirmed that logistics for the relocation, including the transportation of 55 officers to Lupane, have been finalised. Additionally, the treasury has released funds for the electrification of the Welshman Mabhena Government Complex, which will house most Government departments.

Construction of the Welshman Mabhena Complex began in 2012, following Lupane’s designation as the provincial capital of Matabeleland North in 1999.

“Everything is in place for relocation to Lupane with just a few touch-ups to my house while electricity to the offices is being sorted. As we speak, funding has been released and transport to ferry officers to Lupane is ready,” said Minister Moyo.

“Come September 1, our people will be getting services from Lupane.”

Minister Moyo said the first phase of the Lupane Provincial Hospital is expected to be operational before the end of the year.

“The hospital will be opened in phases and before the end of the year, the first phase will be ready with the hospital operating. Medical equipment and beds will be in place by then and all other issues like water and electricity are available,” he said.

The relocation process gained momentum after a recent Cabinet meeting, during which Vice-President Kembo Mohadi presented a report on the state of readiness for the move.

VP Mohadi had visited Lupane Centre on June 20 to assess the readiness of civil servant housing units and Government complex offices, as well as to check on the progress of the Lupane Provincial Hospital construction.

The move to Lupane is expected to significantly reduce transportation costs for residents, particularly those from remote districts such as Hwange, Binga and Nkayi, who previously had to travel long distances to access services in Bulawayo.

The province had long been considered one of the most marginalised in the country, but it had seen significant development under President Mnangagwa’s administration, including the Lake Gwayi-Shangani, the US$1,5bn Hwange Power Station expansion and various mining and power generation initiatives

Lupane is also witnessing substantial growth with new infrastructural developments such as the Lupane Provincial Hospital, an e-passport office and Lupane State University. Once completed, Lupane Provincial Hospital will be the first health institution in the province to accommodate all its personnel on-site and is also set to train health specialists.

Moreover, the Government has completed the reconstruction of the Pupu Battlefield National Monument and clinic, both of which were commissioned by President Mnangagwa. These initiatives are part of broader efforts to drive economic growth in Lupane, a district rich in timber, gold and methane gas.

With these transformative projects, Lupane is poised to become a critical hub of Government and economic activity in Matabeleland North, reflecting the Second Republic’s commitment to decentralising services and fostering inclusive development that leaves no one and no place behind.