marble nkomo
Thupeyo Muleya thupeyo, [email protected]
MATABELELAND South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe yesterday toured the Beitbridge Redevelopment Housing Project, where the Government is constructing 16 garden flats for civil servants.
The housing units, designed to accommodate at least 64 families, are scheduled for completion within the next three months, and aim to ease long-standing accommodation challenges in the busy border town.
The project, which began in 2006 but stalled due to funding constraints, was revived under the Second Republic as part of broader efforts to improve living conditions for Government workers and enhance service delivery at the country’s busiest port of entry. The Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities is responsible for the civil works.
Minister Nguluvhe said the project is being completed in phases, with the first phase comprising four blocks to accommodate 16 families.
“I have seen the workers and engineers on the ground, who have assured me that the project is on schedule for completion as planned, provided all the material is delivered on time. As directed by President Mnangagwa, this project should be completed before we host the 46th Independence Day celebrations in Matabeleland South province,” he said.
Minister Nguluvhe added that the location of the flats along the major highway makes the timely completion of the project urgent. The Government has mobilised resources to ensure the 16 duplex flats, at various stages of development, are finalised on schedule.
Deputy director responsible for estates and co-ordination in Matabeleland South, Ms Nkosinomusa Ngulube, said phase 1 of the project is 87 percent complete.
“This is a critical Government initiative to provide affordable accommodation for civil servants, aligned to Vision 2030. The four blocks comprise two duplex and two garden flats,” she said.
Beitbridge District Development Co-ordinator, Mrs Sikhangezile Mafu, said the project is part of wider efforts to address staff housing shortages, particularly as rents in the border town remain high due to its strategic location.
“On the development side, the housing complex will improve the quality of infrastructure in our district. It will also reduce the national housing waiting list,” she said.
The Government has already commissioned a staff village comprising 220 houses for civil servants deployed to the Beitbridge Border Post, which were developed in partnership with Zimborders Consortium under a 17-and-a-half-year public-private partnership, which has significantly improved operational efficiency.
Online Reporter