4 000 houses for civil servants

Hundreds of civil servants under the Accelerated Presidential Housing Scheme are settling into new homes at Emthunzini and Rangemore on the outskirts of Bulawayo, as the flagship project edges closer to completion with works now almost 90 percent done.

The neatly built four-roomed houses, developed by Hawkflight Properties and Maharba Properties, are fully serviced with water, sewer reticulation and electricity, marking a significant milestone in Government's push to provide affordable and decent housing in line with Vision 2030.

The scheme, which targets civil servants under a zero-deposit model, is expected to deliver about 4 000 housing units, shared equally between the two developers.

Financing is being provided through the National Building Society (NBS), backed by pension funds from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA).

During a tour of the project on Friday, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo, together with officials from the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of the work.

"The progress here is impressive. This project meets key human settlement standards and shows what can be achieved when the Government and the private sector work together," said Minister Moyo.

He commended the companies leading the development for delivering quality housing for civil servants.

ZANU-PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Jabulani Sibanda, who also attended the event, described the project as a product of the gains of Independence.

"Independence gave us the power to plan and build for ourselves. Even under sanctions, we continue to develop our country.

"Projects like this are part of our national development strategy to achieve full economic independence and sustainable development," he said.

NSSA general manager Dr Charles Shava said the authority was pleased to see pension funds being channelled into tangible investments that directly benefit workers.

"We are happy with the progress at Emthunzini. This is a secure investment that improves lives while ensuring long-term value for our contributors," said Dr Shava.

For many beneficiaries, the scheme represents relief after years of renting and housing uncertainty.

One homeowner, Ms Sheila Ncube, said the project had restored confidence at a time when many prospective homeowners had lost money to fraudulent housing schemes.

"I am finally a landlord after 17 years of renting. I am happy and feel empowered and free. This feels like a genuine start. No one would risk using the President's name on a fake project," she said.

Last year, hundreds of housing units around Bulawayo were connected to water and sewer services after the Bulawayo City Council and Umguza Rural District Council agreed to share reticulation infrastructure following Government intervention.

The agreement resolved a long-standing dispute that had left some settlements relying on Blair toilets and boreholes despite being within the metropolitan zone.

Nationally, Government says it has surpassed its 220 000 housing units target set last year and is intensifying efforts to reduce the shelter backlog through recapitalisation of the Housing Guarantee Fund and the National Housing Fund.

Under National Development Strategy 2, Zimbabwe aims to deliver one million houses and serviced stands over the plan period to ensure access to affordable, modern housing and essential social amenities.

As families move into their new homes at Emthunzini and Rangemore, the project is emerging as a visible marker of progress — and, for many civil servants, the long-awaited fulfilment of home ownership.