Masvingo council runs out of land

MASVINGO City Council has run out of land for residential purposes and has since applied to Government for six surrounding farms to be used in its expansion drive.

Masvingo Mayor Councillor Hubert Fidze said as a result of the shortage of land, the housing waiting list now stands at 20 000.

He said contrary to some claims that council was opposed to the allocation of land within its jurisdiction to youths, the local authority does not have land as the surrounding farms belong to the State.

“As Masvingo City Council we no longer have any land to spare. We have used all the land at our disposal and we have since written to Government so that we can be given some nearby farms for urban expansion,” said Clr Fidze.

He said council has identified six farms around the city and is waiting for Government’s response on their application.

“We have identified six farms which we think Government may give us for expansion given the predicament we are in right now. Although government has not yet responded, we hope that we are going to get a positive reply on the issue. All these surrounding farms are State land and not for council as it stands, the farms are within our jurisdiction,” he said without identifying the properties.—@walterbmswazie2.