The Sunday News
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces has handed over 20 houses to some of its members in Kwekwe Mbizo 8 as part of its initiative that will see more than 400 houses being built under its Housing benefit fund in the mining town.
The beneficiaries were drawn from the Zimbabwe National Army and Airforce of Zimbabwe. Handing over the houses on Thursday, Commander 5 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Simo Maseko said the construction of the houses was meant to spur development in Midlands by improving social and economic structures, satisfying one of the basic human needs, that of accommodation. He said more houses were being constructed.
“Today we are gathered in Mbizo 8 extension suburb to witness another great milestone in which 20 housing units are being handed over to beneficiaries. We might be handing over 20 units today, but on schedule are far more houses than that. The fund will soon be embarking on Phase 2 of the project adding more units,” he said.
Brig-Gen Maseko said Kwekwe City Council has also availed more stands to members of the ZDF.
“I am happy to announce that Kwekwe City Council has promised to avail more stands to members of the formation and members from across the ZDF and this is a positive development. Our relationship with the council has been growing and currently it is at its epic level,” he said.
Of the 20 beneficiaries who received houses on the day, two of them received posthumously. The ZDF Benefit Fund was started in 1988 to provide the armed forces with decent accommodation in line with a United Nations driven mandate for provision of accommodation to all citizens. The ZDF is carrying out the project countrywide through acquiring land from local authorities and building houses using monthly membership contributions.
ZDF Benefit Fund director, Colonel Blessing Maraire also witnessed the handover ceremony.
