Highlights of the findings

High murder cases
Gold mining
Fruits and fruit processing
Poor mobile network
Mapako/Amadzimbabwe ruins (tourism)
Mware Mountain and the Map of Africa (tourism)
Human animal conflict
Manjirenji, Bangala, and Siya (Fish farming)
Vendors destroying formal business
Mobile markets affecting business

SIMBARASHE MTEMBO
MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – Zaka has immense potential for economic growth but it also needs more Police stations because of the high prevalence of murder cases, the lead planner of the Zaka District master plan, Prinsloo Harry has said.
Harry told The Mirror in an interview that his team has carried out interviews and they are now 95% through in terms of collecting the necessary data.
She said that Zaka, one of the seven districts of Masvingo has immense economic opportunities but these can only be tapped by way of diligent planning and introduction of requisite physical and digital infrastructure.
She bemoaned the high rate of murder cases in Ward 1 and said that there will be a call for more Police stations in the masterplan. The same ward is endowed with fruits and processing plants will spur development, she said.
More mobile base stations are also required in the district because of poor network in wards 29, 26, 31, 21, 27, 32 and 17.
The planning for ward 21 will be centred around gold mine operations in the area and in particular Chiromo Mine which has the potential to go large-scale. The same ward has a higher human-wildlife conflict mostly involving hyenas.
Other business opportunities include tourism. Zaka Ward 1 is home to Mapako/Amadzimbabwe ruins while Ward 33 features Mware Mountain, which has a map of Africa, making it a potential tourist attraction.
The district has three dams Manjirenji, Bangala, and Siya that are lying idle and have the potential for fish farming and the development of holiday homes for tourism.
She also said that there is a need to educate women in the rural set-up as they are not aware of their rights and most likely end up being abused.
“Many women in various wards are not aware of their rights, and parents/guardians lack familiarity with child rights. There is a need for a dedicated program to educate women and parents about their rights.
“The preservation of traditional culture is compromised by the presence of other religious groups. Merging different religions proves to be complex, especially concerning apostolic churches, which have distinct rituals that challenge traditional African beliefs. Traditional leaders express concerns that these practices contribute to rainfall challenges,” she said.
Harry also noted that illegal tuck-shops and liquor operations in villages are affecting business centres and their effectiveness.
“Established business centres are obstructed by vendors (grocery, clothing, food) who sell at lower prices and evade tax. Street vendors selling cooked food pose health challenges.
“Open Mobile People’s Markets are negatively impacting the local business community, leading to reduced sales and tax evasion. They also pose health risks, including the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs),” she added.