NEW: War vets Zvimba housing project takes shape

Online Reporter

A company that is wholly owned by veterans of the liberation struggle, the Zvimba East Veterans Investment Company (ZEVIC), is currently engaged in a massive housing project at the 261-hectare Penrose Farm in Nyabira, Mashonaland West province.

More than 4 000 stands have so far been availed, with pegging still ongoing.

The housing project will have flats, cluster houses and shopping malls.

Plans are also underway to construct a conference centre, recreational area, stadium, cemetery and swimming pool.

ZEVIC board member Mr Clifford Rutsate, who is in charge of marketing, said the company is responding to President Mnangagwa’s call for Zimbabweans to work towards attaining an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

“As war veterans, we took heed of the President’s call for Zimbabweans to form co-operatives and companies so that they will be given housing stands, mining claims and agricultural land,” he said.

“Our housing development at Penrose will help eliminate land barons who are active in this area.”

ZEVIC secretary-general Mr Mike Changadzo said the housing programme is taking shape.

“People are tired of land barons. As war veterans, we fought for this country so that people would get land. This company was established to fulfil the promises that we made to the people during the war,” he said.

“The response has been overwhelming, with people coming from as far as Harare. We are going to make sure that we fulfil our mandate and avail affordable stands.”

Penrose project manager Mr Fanuel Nyamadyiwa said everything is going according to plan.

“Ninety percent of pegging has so far been completed. As for bush clearance, we are at 30 percent. Everything is moving according to plan,” Mr Nyamadyiwa said.

Cde Cornelious Muwoni, chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association in Mashonaland West province, is the patron of the company.

Colonel Joel Samuel Mazhambe (Retired) is the chairperson and is deputised by Major Joe Chimonyo (Rtd).

ZEVIC has also set its sights on farming, agriculture and mining.