Shurugwi Faces Shortage Of Housing Land, As Mining Encroaches On Serviced Stands

Shurugwi Town Council (STC) is struggling with a severe shortage of land for housing, largely due to extensive mining, including illegal operations on already serviced stands.

STC Town Secretary Archbold Ncube revealed this during a visit by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, earlier this week.

He said the town has almost run out of land, forcing the council to look to neighbouring Tongogara Rural District Council for residential plots.

Four developers are currently working on 1,843 stands, but progress is being hampered by miners operating within the planned residential areas.

Ncube added that the council is pinning its hopes on the Master Plan, which is expected to unlock large areas of land for future development. He said:

“As Shurugwi Town Council, we do not have enough land for future residential stand allocation programmes, and this will end after the coming into effect of our Master Plan. We are currently outsourcing land fromthe  Tongogara Rural District Council.

“1 843 stands are being serviced by four land developers, and if that programme is completed, we will unveil the stands to the government for allocation.

“However, we have the challenge of illegal miners operating on serviced stands.

“They are producing recent mining certificates, yet the council acquired this land a long time ago.

“We are appealing to the Minister of State’s Office to address the issue.”

Speaking during the tour of MIPF Mall, Impali Source Farm and Scenic Hotel, Minister Ncube said his office has received numerous complaints from residents about delays in the allocation of residential stands in Shurugwi.

He urged the council to prioritise special groups, including people with disabilities and civil servants.

Minister Ncube also called on the council to enforce the law firmly and work closely with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to address mining activities in the area.

He praised the local authority for some of its infrastructure improvements, including a working sewer system, water facilities, and well-maintained roads.

More: Masvingo Mirror