Suburban
A total of 31 257 families are residing in wetlands, dysfunctional and irregular settlements countrywide with a Government programme now underway to identify safe place where these people will be relocated.
Suburban Reporter
Harare should be among the urban centres with the biggest numbers of families living in wetland areas if not the highest as wetlands in Borrowdale, Greystone Park, Vainona, Mabelreign, Mt Pleasant and Marlborough have been invaded for residential development.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga briefed Cabinet on the ongoing programme to address the untenable situation brought about by the emergence of irregular and dysfunctional settlements, including in wetlands and flood-prone areas.
The programme also covers the production of the National Wetlands Masterplan, streamlining the operations of housing cooperatives and the rehabilitation of damaged roads.
“Cabinet advises that the number of families residing in wetlands or in dysfunctional and irregular settlements which are in need of alternative accommodation stands at 31 257. Verification of affected households is ongoing.
“In the meantime, the provision of relief to distressed households in areas prone to flooding is underway, while the identification of safe places in all Provinces is being carried out,” Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told a post Cabinet press briefing on Tuesday this week.
Greyston Park wetland
Government is in the process of preparing to build blocks of flats to house huge numbers of households to be relocated in Harare and Gweru. In Harare the flats are being built in Dzivarasekwa and Highfield at the Messengers’ Camp.
“Cabinet is happy to report that ground-clearance of the construction area for the building of four blocks at Dzivarasekwa has been done and procurement of construction materials is underway, with actual construction set to commence in mid-May 2021.
The additional forty blocks approved by Cabinet for construction at Dzivararsekwa will be completed this year.
“Concerning the Messengers’ Camps projects, Government plans to construct 15 blocks of flats with 240 housing units on the available open spaces at the Highfield Messengers’ Camp.
The first phase entails construction of two blocks of flats with 32 housing units to accommodate the first group of households residing in existing units.
The second phase will entail the construction of a further two blocks,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
On a related matter, Minister Mutsvangwa said the regularisation of Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle Settlements through provision of on-site and off-site infrastructure by Government is a top priority under the programme, since they constitute a significant portion of the category of settlements with approved plans.
“Regarding private sector participation in the settlements construction projects, the following sites have been identified for piloting of the public private-sector partnership: Gimboki South (Mutare); Cowdray Park (Bulawayo); Hatcliffe North (Harare); Southlea Park (Harare South); and Caledonia (Goromonzi).
Bids for expressions of interest for the regularisation and sanitisation of dysfunctional settlements were invited from the private sector and adjudication of submitted bids was completed on 30 April, 2021.
“Materials and labour are now being mobilised and construction is expected to start in earnest around mid-May 2021,” she said.
Government also advised the nation that the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 is gathering significant pace.
In Harare, the rehabilitation of Boshoff Drive and Chikurubi Prison Access has been completed.
