Hopley regularisation at advanced stage

by | Dec 1, 2021 | Business | 0 comments

 

Alex Ndhlovu

 

Government is at an advanced stage of regularising settlements at Hopley farm with the Zimbabwe National Geospatial Space Agency (ZINGSA) having completed the aerial mapping.

 

Under the NDS1 Government objective is to deliver 1.5 Million housing units by 2030.

 

Speaking at a Post Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said once all physical verifications are done inhabitants will receive their tittle deeds.

 

“Regarding the issue of addressing non-adherence to approved layout plans noted in some urban settlements, Cabinet is pleased to announce that the Zimbabwe National Geospatial Space Agency (ZINGSA) has completed the aerial mapping of Hopley in Harare South. The team is now finalizing the mapping of Ushewokunze/Saturday Retreat. Once the physical verification of the conflicted settlements has been completed, the process of putting up the missing services and amenities, such as power lines, roads, water and sewer reticulation, schools, clinics and shopping centres will commence. Just like in the case of Caledonia, properly settled households will be granted their due title deeds, while the improperly settled ones will only be relocated when relocation sites have been completed, ” she said

 

Hopley farm was used as temporary accommodation for those who had been affected by the then Operation Murambatsvina launched by government in 2005.

Since then land barons started invading Council land parcelling it haphazardly to unsuspecting citizens, hence Government moving in to restore order.

 

Hopley farm now houses an estimated 60 000 people.

 

Minister Mutsvangwa also noted that Government through Treasury has realised ZW$150 million to Small and medium enterprises to construct Workspace.

 

“Pertaining to the regularisation and rebuilding of decent work and market spaces for micro, small and medium enterprises, Treasury has provided ZW$150 million for workspace construction,” she said.

 

“The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development has entered into agreements with three Local Authorities, namely: Gweru City Council; Chikomba Rural District Council; and Gwanda Municipality.

In Gweru, the Ministry is working with the City Council to construct four micro, small and medium enterprise (MSMEs) factory shells, which will house a total of 54 businesses. In Gwanda, two vendor marts which will accommodate 56 enterprises in various trades, are being constructed in the Central Business District. In Chivhu, a factory shell with 60 bays is being constructed in Chikomba. The facility will house at least 200 SMEs undertaking manufacturing, processing, retailing and repairs.”