Shurugwi Development Fund on the cards

In a bid to unite their communities towards development programmes, Shurugwi South Member of
Parliament, Wilson Mhuri, and Shurugwi North MP Joseph Mpasi, have united villagers from the two
constituencies to strategise toward meaningful projects.
Mhuri announced the move in a Ward 21 WhatsApp group, which is a platform for discussing issues
affecting their area saying they had come up with the initiative to focus on different development
programmes in their constituencies.
‘’We had a meeting on Friday October 20 where Shurugwi South and Shurugwi North MPs attended.
The gathering involved all mines operating in Shurugwi,” he said.
He said the meeting whose discussions were only centered on development resolved that a
committee be formed to coordinate the intended Shurugwi fund where all local mines and
companies contribute into.
The meeting was also attended by local traditional leaders, Chiefs Ndanga and Nhema, the District
Development Coordinator Romeo Shangwa, Shurugwi councillors, mine representatives, heads of
government departments and all relevant stakeholders.
Mhuri said each councillor was tasked to come-up with a list of prospective committee members in
every Ward.
“May we urge you to cooperate in this process so that we conclude it before the end of this month.
Each ward should also have a ward development WhatsApp group where the MP and councillor
should be part of it,” he added.
The MP said it was agreed that these committees be given the right to come up with their intended
lists of projects village by village.
“Each village will share their top 10 list of projects which they feel should constitute their priority list
if resources permit. The list of projects will also help the Constituency Development Fund Committee
to identify momentous projects to be done in the constituency,” said Mhuri.
The legislator said they want development to start from the village going up.
A Citizen Coalition for Change official who declined to be identified said the fact that local Zanu PF
members are now able to rub shoulders with people with divergent views shows there is light at the
end of the tunnel.
“Their ability to have constructive development WhatsApp group, sharing ideas with people with
different views shows that the community is slowly but surely becoming politically mature.
“This is progressive, as it creates peace and working with people from different views in the
development group, would also go a long way in promoting tolerance and unity,” he said.

One villager praised Mhuri’s inclusive approach which he said is in line with President Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s “leave no one and no place behind” mantra.
“This is socially and developmentally healthy, as villagers are beginning to learn how to confront
their problems collectively and to resolve conflicts in an amicable manner,” she said.