Online Reporter
Locadia Mavhudzi ,Midlands Correspondent
SHURUGWI Town Council has embraced the Government’s urban renewal policy through housing and infrastructure development aimed at improving service delivery and modernising the mining town.
Speaking during a recent media tour, Town Secretary Mr Archibald Ncube said the local authority was working with qualified land developers to service residential stands across the town. Projects include the construction of tarred roads, water and sewer systems, and drainage infrastructure.
“The urban renewal agenda calls for local authorities to provide modernised housing and infrastructure, hence we partnered with various developers. The Mining Industry Pension Fund (MIPF) has injected US$2.8 million into a housing project. Over 600 residential stands of various sizes have been surveyed, including surfaced access roads, storm water drainage systems, and water and sewer reticulation systems,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the Unki Mines housing development project comprises 1 000 by 400 metre residential stands, with the area well developed in terms of road, water, and sewer services. The mine has so far built 365 duplex flats and nearly 1 000 detached two- to three-bedroom houses as tied accommodation for its employees.
The council has also set aside stands for the construction of primary and secondary schools to ensure that new residential areas have access to essential social amenities.
Sheasham Investments and CGM Construction are also developing low-cost housing facilities, which will accommodate 1 000 residential stands ranging between 300 and 400 square metres.
“These housing schemes will go a long way in addressing our housing backlog, which currently stands at 23 000. Council will also benefit immensely through improved revenues. Masimba Holdings is also constructing 500 low-density residential stands in Shurugwi.”
The urban renewal drive in Shurugwi comes at an opportune time, following the opening of a US$7.8 million state-of-the-art shopping mall earlier this year.
However, the mining town continues to battle the invasion of residential land by illegal miners, resulting in some areas becoming undevelopable and costly to rehabilitate.
“Illegal miners remain a challenge in Shurugwi. We have engaged the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development as well as the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency to assess the extent of damage incurred in some areas. In extreme cases, we have resorted to litigation by issuing summons to the offenders,” said Mr Ncube.
