Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Shurugwi Town Council has said it has embarked on a bold step to reshape the town’s future through its master plan, which proposes a 10-kilometre radius expansion.
Town secretary, Mr Archibald Ncube, told journalists recently that the expansion will incorporate surrounding farms such as Impali Source, Adare Farm, Little Impali, Terrain, Bethnol and Magakooshla A and B.
“Dialogue with Tongogara Rural District Council is awaiting approval by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the expansion was not just about growing boundaries, but addressing urgent realities on the ground.
“Shurugwi’s mountainous terrain leaves very little developable land within its current limits creating immense pressure on peri-urban zones where unplanned and illegal developments are mushrooming,” he said.
“By unlocking new land, the council aims to create orderly housing opportunities, support commercial growth and bring sanity to land use management.”
Mr Ncube said Shurugwi faced a critical shortage of land in both the central business district and its outskirts.
“The proposed 10km expansion is, therefore, essential as it will open up undeveloped farmland for new growth,” he said.
“Additionally, plans are underway to extend the CBD behind Mus Lodge, which will accommodate landmark projects such as the proposed Shurugwi North constituency Information Parliament Centre.”
Mr Ncube said illegal mining continued to derail development, particularly in areas such as Impali.
“Mining activities on unoccupied stands not only degrade land earmarked for housing, but also creates environmental and social risks,” he said.
“This challenge underlines the urgency of expanding formalised town boundaries to protect development zones from encroachment.”
