Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE City of Mutare has begun developing a Local Development Plan aimed at expanding its Central Business District, easing congestion that is currently choking the eastern border city’s economic nucleus, The Manica Post can reveal.
The plan is expected to be completed by mid-December. Currently, Mutare CBD boundaries stretch from End Avenue to the south; Seventh Avenue to the north; Sakubva River to the east; and Nyapfumbi River to the west.
Speaking during an inception meeting at Mutare Hall last week, Mutare Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka, said: “We developed a Master Plan that was approved in 2021, and we received official confirmation of the approval last year. This enabled us to initiate the process of creating a Local Development Plan. Our Central Business District has become congested and cramped. This process is crucial, as local authorities have faced criticism for planning and land use issues, resulting in the issuance of moratoriums. We have been failing to follow requisite laws in land management and use. This process aligns with the country’s statutes, as stipulated by Government.
“Some councils engage private consultants, but these consultants often prioritise their own interests. This leads to complaints, such as the proliferation of fuel stations in residential areas. Consultants may deliberately include provisions for personal gain, such as allocating space for a fuel station. We aim to avoid this by handling the process internally. Several parties offered to sponsor this initiative, but we declined, opting to handle it through the council instead. This is the reason we are where we are now.”
Mr Chafesuka assured that sufficient resources are available to ensure the smooth completion of the Local Development Plan.
“We have obtained approval from Government, through our parent ministry (Ministry
of Local Government and Public Works) to undertake this exercise. The necessary resources are in place.
“I have instructed the planner to complete the project within the shortest possible timeframe, as it is a key performance indicator in my contract as the Town Clerk. I have also directed the finance director to ensure that the project is not hindered by financial constraints. We aim to complete the project within three to six months. We look forward to the participation of all stakeholders in this process. Our goal is to achieve a result that serves the best interests of our community and the council, while promoting organised community development,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Mr Jeofrey Matayi, the director of Spatial Planning at Kums Consultants — the consulting company in the execution of the Local Development Plan — said: “Our role is to work on behalf of the council, and this plan belongs to the council. The Local Development Plan will serve as a guideline for future developments in the Central Business District. Stakeholder participation is crucial, as the plan will outline what is permissible and prohibited in certain areas. Once approved, the plan will ensure the enforcement of the community-agreed guidelines.
“The Master Plan is broad, hence the need for a Local Development Plan focusing on the Central Business District. In fact, Section 4.4.2, Part E of the proposal emphasises the need for a Local Development Plan for the city centre.
“We will research and gather stakeholders’ views on issues such as transportation, mobility, mushika-shika, urban decay, infrastructure, and archaic buildings. We must also address the growing informal sector. Our goal is to create a plan that attracts investment, as the Central Business District is the engine driving this growth.”
“We aim to incorporate the Smart City concept into this plan, positioning Mutare as a model for other cities to follow. As we implement this plan, we must consider issues related to public safety, sustainable and resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change, and energy efficiency, given the challenges we have faced with electricity.”
Mr Matayi also outlined the processes involved, and deadlines for executing the Local Development Plan.
“The Local Development Plan is a statutory requirement under the Regional Town and Country Planning Act and related statutes. The process begins with this inception meeting, which requires full stakeholder participation.
“We will engage stakeholders through various methods, including meetings and questionnaires. Following this, we will produce an inception report for submission to the council.
“Following the inception report, we will compile the Report of Study. This document will be based on data collected from all stakeholders. We kindly request your cooperation, as stakeholders, to ensure a comprehensive plan.
“We will conduct data analysis, then present the Report of Study to stakeholders, highlighting our findings. This will allow for amendments, if necessary. Next, we will prepare a Written Statement, incorporating all proposals and contributions. The plan will then undergo public exhibition, lasting two months, to ensure widespread awareness and feedback.
“During this period, any inaccurately captured ideas can be amended.
The plan will then be submitted to the council for approval. By mid-August, we aim to complete the Written Statement and Report of Study. The plan will then enter the public exhibition phase, taking two months. We anticipate completion and approval of the plan by the first or second week of December 2025,” he said.
Mr Matayi elaborated on the implications for residential areas that might be reclassified under the Central Business District.
“For instance, if a residential property falls within the expanded Central Business District, the homeowner is not automatically rendered an illegal occupant. Instead, the homeowner can continue residing there, but when they decide to alter the property’s use, they must comply with commercial regulations. In fact, the reclassification can even increase the property’s value,” he explained.
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