The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Business Reporter
CONSTRUCTION of a $10 million up-market shopping mall in Victoria Falls by one of the country’s leading land developer, Zimre Property Investment will start this month.
Zimre projects manager Mr Tasiyana Allen Mutede confirmed that the firm contracted to construct the infrastructure was already on site.
The property developer was given its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate to start construction work by the Environmental Management Agency in December last year.
“I spoke to the team of contractors and they indicated that they are on the ground and mobilising and will effectively start construction work on 15 January,” said Mr Mutede.
Zimre, which is both into residential and commercial property development, seeks to tap into the anticipated business boom on the back of an influx of tourists in the resort town.
The Sawanga Shopping Mall would house offices, internet cafes, bookshops, banks, boutiques, hair salons, restaurants, motor spares shops, medical centre, theatres, cultural centre and gymnasium. An elaborate sewer and water reticulation system would be put in place with access roads being constructed for easy vehicular movement.
The property developer’s environmental consultancy firm, Environmental Guardians Services’ senior consultant Mr Michael Montana also confirmed that the company contracted to carry out the construction work was on the ground.
“The contractor is already on site and on my part I will be going there after every three months to check if there are adhering to the requirements of the EIA certificate,” he said.
Victoria Falls Mayor Sifiso Mpofu said the construction of the mall would go a long way towards enhancing the resort town’s economic activities.
“It’s (construction of the mall) a welcome gesture which will open up employment opportunities and adds value while it changes the face of the town. It will be the first of its kind though other plans are there. We are truly excited about this development,” he said.
Construction of the gigantic mall would add weight to the town’s quest for city status.
Conferring city status on the town would have several advantages from a tourism point of view because people tend to visit cities. -@DNsingo
