Town has run out of land for expansion
8 people sharing a room
Need for urgent urban renewal

INCREASE GUMBO
MIRROR REPORTER

CHIREDZI – Chiredzi Town Council has run out of land for expansion and has 40 000 people on its housing waiting list, town lead planner Dr Andrew Chigudu has said.
Dr Chigudu told The Mirror in an exclusive interview that there is need to expand the town boundary for the masterplan objectives to be met.
“The town has run out of land and to achieve its masterplan objectives there is need to expand the town boundary for urban expansion and bulk infrastructure development. The housing waiting list has more than 40 000 people on it,” said Dr Chigudu.
Chiredzi is predominantly surrounded by sugarcane estates and conservancies.
Dr Chigudu also highlighted that the town has dilapidated and overcrowded suburbs. He said there is a need for urban renewal especially in the single quotas ‘majaradha’ which now accommodate eight people in a room.
“Chiredzi’s well know suburb, Tshovani is dilapidated and overcrowded especially the single quotas (majaradha) section which was built in the 1950s. This suburb urgently requires attention for urban renewal as approximately eight people now share a room and each block rely on communal toilets.
“About 92% of properties in Chiredzi are connected on reticulated water supply. However intermittent water supply affects Chiredzi town residents. The pumping capacity is approximately 10 mega liters against a demand of 15 mega liters. Wards 1, 3, 5, 6 and 8 are seriously affected by water shortages,” said Dr Chigudu.
He also highlighted that the city’s road network is in a sorry state and that the local authority is plagued with nonpayment of rates as collection is at 30%.
“Chiredzi town council faces challenge of non- payment of rates with collection level at 30%. The main reasons being resistance from perceived high fees and lack of service delivery like water supply,” said Chigudu.
Dr Chigudu also highlighted that whilst the town is plagued with challenges it has vast business and job creation opportunities. He said the town benefits from close
However Chigudu said the town have vast opportunities in tourism and job creation due to its nearness to Tongaat Hulett, Gonarezhou and Malilangwe conservancies. He said these are also the major drivers of revenue generation.
“Sugar and beef production and tourism sector as Mteri Lodge, Palm tree lodge, Singita Pamushana, Gonarezhou and Malilangwe Conservancy among others are the major economic drivers in terms of revenue generation and job creation in Chiredzi town.
“Major sugar cane production in Chiredzi spans approximately 14 000ha (approximately 7000 employees) for Hippo Valley, 8 000ha (approximately 9000 employees) for Triangle and 15 000ha for Mkwasine. Cottco employs 500 workers and Delta – Chibuku over 150 employees. There is potential to capitalize on agro tourism opportunities,” said Dr Chigudu.