Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
ZVISHAVANE Town is poised for a major infrastructure transformation with the nearing completion of the US$29 million Midlands Park Housing Project, a modern development set to accommodate 1 000 families.
The project aligns with the Government’s drive to provide affordable and modern housing, a key priority under the Second Republic.
The Government, through the Public Service Commission (PSC) in partnership with First Mutual Life Assurance Company, is finalising the construction of 156 modern residential flats, comprising two and three-bedroom units, along with 504 student apartments in the Maglas area.
This initiative underlines the Second Republic’s commitment to improving housing infrastructure across the country.
On Wednesday, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube toured the massive housing project to assess progress.
Addressing the Zvishavane Town Council management, councillors, residents and officials from the PSC and First Mutual Wealth after the tour, Minister Ncube hailed the development as a demonstration of the Second Republic’s dedication to providing decent, secure and modern housing.
“It gives me great pleasure to address you as I tour the US$29 million Midlands Park housing project, implemented by the Public Service Commission in partnership with First Mutual Wealth, here in Zvishavane,” he said.
“I am reliably informed that the project offers state-of-the-art 156 residential flats and 504 student apartments. The residential flats comprise two and three-bedroom high-class units, which is commendable.”
Minister Ncube emphasised that despite limited access to external credit lines due to economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, the Government has made substantial investments in infrastructure development as a key driver of economic transformation.
“I applaud the Public Service Commission and First Mutual Wealth for complementing the Second Republic’s private sector-led innovation, modernisation, and industrialisation drive. Infrastructure development initiatives such as roads, dams, housing, schools, clinics, airports and power generation are critical in stimulating economic recovery and growth,” he said.
Highlighting other flagship projects, Minister Ncube cited the Public Service Pensions-funded Madokero Housing Development and the modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post in partnership with the ZimBorders Consortium as successful initiatives under the Second Republic.
Since its inception on November 24, 2017, the New Dispensation has adopted bold and strategic policy measures, including the Whole-of-Government, Economy and Society approach, results-based management system, corporate governance and economic liberalisation, all aimed at improving service delivery that addresses community needs.
“In his inauguration speech, His Excellency, the President, bemoaned silo mentality and underscored the need for teamwork and collaboration across departments and agencies,” said Minister Ncube.
He further highlighted the devolution and decentralisation agenda, which empowers provinces and districts to grow their GDPs and take charge of their development aspirations. The minister urged all Zimbabweans to actively contribute to national development efforts.
“As we embark on urban renewal and expansion, guided by the smart city concept, I urge Zvishavane Town Council and other local authorities to enforce Section 35 and 37 of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 29:12 and Chapter 2, Subsection 48 and 49 of the Model Building By-laws, that prohibits any building from being dangerous and unpleasant to the neighbourhood,” said Minister Ncube.
He said local authorities must ensure compliance with modern urban standards by removing, demolishing, altering or discontinuing operations of dilapidated buildings.
Minister Ncube also called on miners to practice responsible mining, warning that unregulated artisanal mining activities have led to collapsing infrastructure in Zvishavane, posing a substantial risk to residents and businesses alike.
