By Correspondent
Less than 20% of the land within the current boundary of Masvingo is available for residential development, which worsens the case for nearly 4,000 people on the housing waiting list.
The information contained in the city’s draft Masterplan paints a dire picture for the country’s oldest city.
However, Council says the 20% is “outside land already committed to planned housing development and CBD expansion across the Mucheke River.
“Additionally, the city has land outside its current boundary that can be mobilised for appropriate urban
land uses and supportive infrastructure.
The three properties are Townlands, Standard, and the Remainder of Clipsham.
In a bid to revamp the city Council is also looking forward to renewing some old suburbs.
“Old Mucheke is also ripe for urban renewal and redevelopment.
“City Health considers that some of the areas are now too overcrowded, posing health hazards to residents.
City Housing also considers the area to have run its useful life.
This has presented tenure and urban management problems that the city can resolve more strategically through transformative regeneration approaches.
Housing Challenges
Masvingo has been struggling to provide housing, and in 2024 only managed to provide a paltry 17 stands.
This was against the backdrop of a backlog of 3500 on its housing waiting list.
Director of Housing and Social Services Simbarashe Mandishona said of the stands, one is commercial, while the remainder are residential.
“Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Housing and Social Services regarding stands allocated to beneficiaries.
These were allocated during the first and second quarters of 2024.
“17 residential stands were allocated in the first and second quarter of 2024.
“Stand numbers 25793, 27585, 10513-10516, 27586, 27595-27599, 27584, 27582, 27583, 9541, 9553, and one commercial stand number 27588 be ratified”, reads part of the report.
The cheapest serviced residential stand in Masvingo costs around US$5000, according to the Housing Director.
The stand sizes range between 200 square meters and 2,599 square meters
Masvingo has currently budgeted US$2 million towards servicing new residential stands in Rujeko D.
Financial challenges appear to be the main hindrance to the allocation of more stands, as Council laws require that they be serviced first before allocations.
