Sydney Mubaiwa
MIDLANDS BUREAU CHIEF

GWERU – President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected in Gweru this Friday to receive a prestigious scroll in acceptance of his conferment of the freedom of the city.
Gweru City Public Relations Officer Vimbayi Chingwaramusee confirmed the visit to The Mirror. She also said Mnangagwa got the status last year.
Freedom of the city is an honour given by a local authority to a civilian or a military unit in recognition of the exceptional service to the city.
Chingwaramusee said they decided to confer him with the status after noting development projects initiated by the Second Republic including devolution and infrastructure development.
“We thought the nation’s theme ‘To become a middle-income economy by the year 2030’ resonates well with our theme as a local authority ‘To be a sustainable progress city of choice by 2030’.
“So in perspective, all these things are pushing a drive to ensure that our cities are beautified, and as a local authority, we decided to confer him with the freedom of the city status,” she said. 
She also said the local authority is engaging the business community and other stakeholders to develop the city.
“We have begun engaging our business community so that they renovate their buildings, and we learnt a lot from our trip to Dubai as we move towards the smart city concept. This conferment will bring a big change in Gweru,” she added. 
In 2020, Victoria Falls Town Council awarded Mnangagwa freedom of the city status when it was given town status in recognition of his contribution to the resort town’s transformation through the tourism industry.