GWERU’S housing waiting list stands at 38 000 home seekers and the local authority, working with
private land developers, has identified land to cater for the demand and supply gap.
One of the oldest suburbs in Gweru, Mtapa high density suburb, will be upgraded and the
conversion of the rented houses to home-ownership will see 198 families owning the houses.
Servicing of Mkoba 21 housing scheme is now underway where 1 784 beneficiaries purchased
residential stands in 2014.
“The demand for housing in the city has remained on the upward trend despite the limited
availability of new residential schemes. Efforts are underway to identify suitable land to cater for this
demand and supply gap,” said Gweru Mayor Councillor Hamutendi Kombayi in his Valedictory
address recently.
“I have heard questions about the development of Mkoba 21, beneficiaries want to know when they
can start building. Servicing of Mkoba 21 housing scheme is now underway where 1 784
beneficiaries purchased residential stands in 2014.”
He said Gweru City Council has contracted three land developers – Sheasham Investments,
Wackdrive and CASAS, to provide services on the long awaited Mkoba 21 housing scheme.
“Sheasham Investments and Wackdrive are on the ground and works have since commenced. CASAS
is still awaiting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate for them to start works.
“Issuing of Agreement of Sale forms to beneficiaries will commence once we get site plans from the
surveyor general,” he said.
Mayor Kombayi said work on the upgrading of Mtapa high density suburb is currently underway.
“Council at its 696th ordinary council meeting deliberated on Mtapa upgrading and resolutions for
the upgrading of Mtapa are now in place,” said the Mayor.
Conversion of the rented houses to home-ownership will see 198 families in Mtapa owning the
houses while 66 families will be relocated to new housing schemes in Mambo Infill, Shamrock Infill
and Mkoba 21.
The Mtapa section remains one of the most squalid areas in Gweru with families using community
ablution facilities and families sharing one roomed houses.