Slow progress in Mhangura expansion

THE development of Mhangura Town is hanging in the balance due to a land dispute between Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) and Makonde Rural District Council (MRDC).

ZMDC has been holding on to land it had earmarked for residential stands despite a growing demand for housing in the town after its population doubled from 6 000 in 2014 to 12 000 this year.

Residents and civic organisations are now lobbying responsible ministries to intervene so that ZMDC can transfer the land to MRDC.

A number of serviced and unserviced residential and commercial stands are lying idle in the town and MRDC claims this has stifled growth of the town since Mhangura Copper Mines halted operations more than 20 years ago.

MRDC chairperson Councillor Simbarashe Ziyambi told The Herald that unavailability of unattached land was affecting growth of Mhangura.

“Some of the land within the town’s boundaries still belongs to ZMDC and it is a challenge for the council to disburse these stands to people without the approval of ZMDC,” he said.

“Another challenge is that of applying for land from the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement to be transferred to the Ministry of Local Government which is our parent ministry.”

Clr Ziyambi said council was looking at measures to depopulate the town, which was designed to accommodate less than 6 000 people, but now has double the population, resulting in severe challenges in water and sewer reticulation.

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority has since stepped up efforts to improve water delivery by installing new pipes.