US$75.6m compensation plan slows progress on Mount Hampden City project

Government says it will pay US$75.6 million to compensate landowners to pave the way for the development of a new city at Mount Hampden, but delays in processing payments are slowing down the ambitious project.

The project area covers about 15,301 hectares currently occupied by 48 farms, with a total of 254 properties identified for compensation. However, only six properties have been paid so far, raising concerns over the pace of implementation.

On average, each property is valued at nearly US$300,000 under the current compensation framework.

A major component of the development, the much-publicised Cyber City initiative, has also stalled, with officials citing delays in title processing and administrative bottlenecks.

The project is part of the broader development of the new capital precinct at Mount Hampden, intended to ease congestion in Harare and create a modern administrative and commercial hub.

Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Lands to expedite the gazetting of all targeted farms and finalise the full compensation valuation, including relocation costs for affected landowners.

While the government maintains that the project remains a priority, the slow disbursement of funds and unresolved land administration issues continue to delay progress on one of Zimbabwe's most ambitious urban development plans.