Gwanda town runs out of expansion land

Gwanda Municipality in Matabeleland South is embarking on a land acquisition drive to support the town's expansion and facilitate various development projects, aiming to enhance service delivery. This initiative aligns with President Mnangagwa's "A Call to Action: No Compromise to Service Delivery" blueprint, introduced late last year to modernize local authorities in line with the 2030 vision.

Mayor Councillor Thulani Moyo stated that the town has exhausted its expansion land and is in the final stages of developing a master plan, incorporating extensive consultations with diverse groups, including women, youth, businesses, and government departments. The deadline for the master plan submission is June 30, and the municipality is confident of meeting it.

Expansion plans include acquiring land for residential, industrial, educational, recreational, and commercial purposes. The town aims to address a housing waiting list of 25,000, expand industrial zones, construct schools, malls, innovation centers, clinics, and recreational facilities, among other initiatives. Once land is secured, the council plans to engage partners for development.

Clr Moyo expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their input, emphasizing its importance in enhancing service delivery. The blueprint outlines standards for local authorities to achieve upper middle-income economy service levels and comply with applicable laws. Government will set minimum service delivery standards, including compliance, land management, and property valuation for rating purposes.