Gweru battles to clear backlog amid moratorium

29 Jan, 2023 - 00:01 0 Views
Gweru battles to clear backlog amid moratorium Miss Vimbai Chingwaramusee

The Sunday News

Johnsias Mutonhori, Midlands Correspondent

THE Gweru City Council (GCC) has written to the Government to consider the lifting of cessation on land sale as it battles to curb a ballooning housing backlog.

The council has been put on moratorium on sale of land due to non-compliance with development conditions. The Gweru housing waiting list currently stands at 38 000. In an interview, GCC spokesperson Miss Vimbai Chingwaramusee said the suspension on sale of land had been put in place by the Government to promote better service delivery in the city.

Gweru Mayor Clr Hamutendi Kombayi

“Before the sale of stands we should make sure that all developmental conditions are met. For example, the roads, sewer and water must be in place because our residence and clients cannot pay for virgin land but services.

We have put those in place hence the letter to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works Hon July Moyo,” she said.
Part of the letter signed by Gweru Mayor Clr Hamutendi Kombayi seen by the Sunday News reads, “City of Gweru has repossessed residential and commercial stands across the City due to non-compliance with development conditions.

Minister of Local Government and Public Works Hon July Moyo

The city of Gweru has a moratorium on land sale barring the selling of stands without the Minister’s approval. We therefore seek the upliftment of the moratorium.”

GCC has also partnered with private land developers to complete servicing of Mkoba 21 housing scheme which has been delayed for nine years. Clr Kombayi said efforts were underway to identify suitable land to meet the demand for stands.

“The demand for housing in the city has remained on the upward trend despite the limited availability of new residential schemes. Efforts are underway to identify suitable land to cater for this demand so that we close that gap,” he said.
On the Mkoba 21 issue, he said development was underway highlighting that GCC had partnered with private developers to accelerate the progress.

Gweru City Council

“I have heard questions about the development of Mkoba 21, beneficiaries want to know when they can start building. Servicing of Mkoba 21 housing scheme is now underway where 1 784 beneficiaries purchased residential stands in 2014. Sheasham Investments and Wackdrive are on the ground and work have since commenced. Casas is awaiting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate for them to start work.

Environmental Impact Assessment

“Issuing of agreement of sale forms to beneficiaries will commence once we get site plans from the surveyor general,” he said.
Council is also working on the modalities to upgrade one of the oldest suburbs in Gweru, Mtapa high density, with the intention of converting its rented houses for full ownership.

“Council at its 696th ordinary council meeting deliberated on Mtapa upgrading and modalities for the upgrading of Mtapa are now in place,” said the mayor.
“Conversion of the rented houses to home-ownership will see 198 families in Mtapa owning the houses while 66 families will be relocated to new housing schemes in Mambo Infill, Shamrock Infill and Mkoba 21,” he said.

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds