DUNGWIZA NEWS

Chitown dangles Nyatsime saga solutions

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2024

Editor

By DUNGWIZA REPORTER

IN A bid to avert impending financially crippling lawsuits, the cash-strapped Chitungwiza municipality has stepped a gear up by seeking urgent government intervention to comprehensively address challenges bedeviling the Nyatsime Housing scheme saga.

In an exclusive interview with Zim Community News, acting housing director Tendai Chinganga said the problems in Nyatsime were not impossible to resolve as long-lasting and mutually beneficial solutions were in place to address these multifaceted challenges.

“But we believe the problems in Nyatsime are not insurmountable, there are problems that can be resolved in a manner that will benefit both the beneficiaries, Chitungwiza Municipality and Manyame RDC.”

Also in response to a gap created by the administrative vacuum on six farms in dispute Chitungwiza councillors on Monday passed a resolution seeking government’s intervention to revive the Manyame-Chitungwiza joint committee (MACHI).

Government set up MACHI through Statutory Instrument 211 of 2021 to manage Braemer, Longlands, Cawdor, Edinburg, Tantallon and Dunnottar farms.

However, the six-member committee stopped functioning amid allegations that the joint committee was pursuing self-interests after the government appointed UdCorp to act as a local authority in the same area.

Chinganga proposed that if this joint committee has failed, Chitungwiza is in a position to run this scheme because the obligations are heavily weighed against the municipality.

“As it stands we have the Statutory instrument which is still valid and extant the joint committee was constituted in terms of Statutory Instrument 211 of 2021, which statutory instrument as of today has not been set aside, so legally the joint committee is still a recognised legal creature which is capable of suing and being sued in its own name.”

He added that if the government was reluctant to allow Chitungwiza to administer Nyatsime, the only practical solution outside the joint committee was to establish an independent local authority to manage the affairs of the six farms.

“What it would then do is that it would then assume both the liabilities and assets associated with the task, in my view that is the only solution to this situation but at the moment Chitungwiza municipality remains heavily exposed and is in danger and the situation is threatening to get out of hand if it is not urgently addressed.”

Proposed solutions

Chinganga grouped those affected by the scheme in one way or the other into four categories, based on findings by Chitungwiza.

(i) The first category is those people who are holding on to our offer letters and other related documents who have managed to go on the ground and settled themselves in their rightful stands. That is the first category, and in our view it will be a question of regularising their stands and giving them additional relevant documents so that they start paying to council and they also process other accompanying documents.
(ii) The second category are those who have council documents but are occupying stands which are not theirs, within the same category there is category A and B
Category A are those who are occupying stands which are not theirs, but are of equal size to the stands that they are supposed to be occupying.
So our approach on those ones is that we will just switch because in terms of size they are occupying stands which are equivalent to the ones that they were supposed to be occupying.
Category B are those who are holding on to our papers and they have decided to occupy stands which are bigger than the stands that they were initially allocated.
So there are two options on those ones, either to redirect them to their original stands or to allow them to stay at the current stands were they are occupying at the moment and ask them to pay an additional cost to what they had already paid say they paid for 200 sqm but are now staying at a 500 sq m stand, so they have to pay for this other difference plus damages because they are staying on a stand which is not theirs, so we would certainly need to extend some penalties in case we might need to compensate the originally allocated person.
(iii) The third category is that of those who are only holding on to our paper work, but they have not been afforded the opportunity to physically take occupation of their stands.
With respect to this group, we are of the view that once we get all the details either we are going to engage the ministry so that they can give us additional land so that we accommodate these people or we are left without an option except to refund them and certainly with compensation.
(iv) The fourth group is composed of those who have decided to take the law into their own hands assisted by land barons, they don’t have any paper work either from Chitungwiza Municipality or Manyame Rural District Council they were settled by pressure groups and some political parties, but they are on the ground.
We have got two options for this group, the first option which was once tried but with very nasty results is eviction. I am aware that sometimes the council attempted to evict these people on the strength of a court order and the council staff and the messenger of court were all thoroughly bashed. I am told they fled from the area. These are the hazards of option number one, but we are aware that there is now political will to decisively deal with this issue given the position of government on land barons so we are of the view that we might possibly ride on that one.
Option number two is to temper justice with mercy, we will not victimise the victimized, the understanding is that these people have already been victimized by land barons who stole money from them, whilst the land barons are going to face the full wrath of the law we will deal with these people who are on the ground by making sure that they pay the true value of the stand in addition to the true value of the stand they will pay the compensation for that particular stand which will be extended to the person who should rightfully have occupied that stand.
So this is how we will possibly approach this issue having taken into consideration all the various variables and the political, social and economic dynamics which have also surrounded this scheme.
The layout for this area in terms of residential the scheme had 15 000-plus those in high density are 10 542, medium density 1 670 and 2 875 are low density stands.
Every space in Nyatsime is accounted for by a stand number be it an open space or Zesa servitude.
Then in terms of institutional; these are the schools, crèches and everything, they are 95 stands and 132 commercial stands, so the scheme is quite self-containing, there are some engineering designs that were also done by Chitungwiza Municipality

DUNGWIZA NEWS

Mash East woos investors in Mozambique

‘We have come here at the specific instance and invitation of His Excellency, President Chapo, who has requested us to participate and showcase the kind of investments we can make in Tete Province’

Published

3 days ago

October 9, 2026

Editor

Province leverages 300km proximity via Nyamapanda to unlock horticulture and manufacturing markets

By Albert Masaka

TETE, Mozambique – Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland East Province today mounted a strong investment push into Mozambique, taking advantage of its shared border and proximity to Tete Province to explore lucrative new markets.

A high-powered delegation, led by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, is currently in Tete attending the Mozambique International Investment Conference.

Mozambique President Daniel Chapo, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the ruling Frelimo party officially opened the high-profile event.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Advocate Ndudzo revealed that Mashonaland East’s participation came at the specific invitation of President Chapo.

“We have come here at the specific instance and invitation of His Excellency, President Chapo, who has requested us to participate and showcase the kind of investments we can make in Tete Province,” Ndudzo said.

Leveraging Geographic Advantage

Mashonaland East shares a direct physical boundary with Tete Province at the Nyamapanda Border Post in Mutoko. The provincial capital, Marondera, sits just over 300 km from Tete—a logistical advantage that the province is eager to capitalise on.

“From our provincial capital, Marondera, to their provincial capital, Tete, it’s just a little over 300 kilometres,” Ndudzo said. “So, there is immense scope for us to do so much together.”

He highlighted that Tete Province boasts a population of over 3.5 million people, presenting a massive, untapped consumer market for Zimbabwean goods and services.

Horticulture and Manufacturing in Focus

To maximise the impact of the mission, the delegation includes senior government officials alongside top private-sector players. The primary focus of the push centres on bolstering horticulture, agro-processing, and manufacturing networks.

“We have come with a high-powered government delegation and also some of our very big corporates within horticulture, because we see the possibility of establishing massive trade partnerships and cross-border supply chains that will drive mutual economic growth,” Ndudzo said.

DUNGWIZA NEWS

CHITUNGWIZA MUNICIPALITY 510TH ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING ROUND UP

Speaking during the 510th Ordinary Council meeting held on 25 August 2026 in the Council Chamber, Her Worship said the town must be well-planned and organised.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 30, 2026

Editor

Mayor Mangoma: Illegal Truck Stops in Units C and J Must Go

BY Dungwiza News Reporter

CHITUNGWIZA mayor councillor Rosaria Mangoma recently raised concern over the mushrooming of undesignated truck stops and illegal car parks in Units C, J and other roadsides.

Speaking during the 510th Ordinary Council meeting held on 25 August 2026 in the Council Chamber, Her Worship said the town must be well-planned and organised.

She urged relevant departments to act on illegal truck stops and car parks, saying municipal land must be properly managed at a time Council is struggling with low revenue collection while many revenue streams remain unexplored.

The meeting was chaired by Her Worship, with acting town clerk Japson Nemuseso in attendance.

#DungwizaNews #Chitungwiza #MayorMangoma #IllegalTruckStops #ServiceDelivery

𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧-𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 — 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

BY Dungwiza News Reporter

COUNCILLORS have blasted their management staff over poor communication that led to low turnout at recent consultative budget meetings.

The issue was raised during the 510th Ordinary Council meeting on 25 August 2026.

Councillor Gylord Chenjera questioned whether the meetings were successful, saying he observed very low turnout.

Acting town clerk Japson Nemuseso admitted meetings were scheduled but attendance was poor and below expectations.

Councillors Watmore Muchairi, Agatha Mujati, and Peter Clever Matiringe said there was no proper hailing done and messages were only circulated in WhatsApp groups on the morning of the meetings.

They also raised concerns over distance of venues which disadvantaged the elderly, and language barrier.

Cllr Matiringe called for messages to be communicated in vernacular.

Council agreed that ward-based meetings should be considered, councillors and ward development committees should be more involved, and the acting public relations officer must improve timely communication. Council will also consider providing refreshments at feedback meetings. #DungwizaNews #Chitungwiza #BudgetConsultations #PublicParticipation

𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐬 — 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐬

By Dungwiza News Reporter

A heated debate erupted in Council over missing sewer rods.

According to Audit and Risk Committee recommendations tabled at the 510th Ordinary Council meeting, supervision must be improved, sewer rods should be branded in Council’s name, and broken rods must be surrendered to stores.

Chitungwiza deputy mayor Cllr Edmore Muringa said the Sewer Section had no rods to use, yet workers were being seen with rods doing private jobs.

Councillors agreed that branding at point of manufacture and through infrared light should be explored, and that supervisors must keep a proper register.

Council resolved to adopt the audit monthly report for July 2026.

#DungwizaNews #Chitungwiza #AuditReport #SewerRods #Accountability

ZINARA 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 s𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 — c𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 f𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 a𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭, m𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝟑 d𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

By Dungwiza News Reporter

Chitungwiza Municipality has not received any ZINARA disbursements this year because it failed to acquit previous funds.

This emerged during the 510th Ordinary Council meeting on 25 August 2026. Her Worship Mayor cllr Rosaria Mangoma bemoaned that Council should receive three disbursements per year but had received nothing to date.

The delay was caused by change of procurement from employing extra Public Works workers and a vehicle to prioritising tipper trucks, which required lengthy approvals.

Councillors also clashed with Procurement over tipper truck delivery.

Only one truck had been delivered out of two promised, and it was delivered unbranded.

Councillors Mujati and Chitembwe demanded urgent delivery, branding, and accountability.

Council resolved that Works must expedite acquittals of ZINARA funds.

#DungwizaNews #Chitungwiza #ZINARA #TipperTrucks #Procurement

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐔𝐒$𝟓𝟎0 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐭

By Dungwiza News Reporter

Chitungwiza Municipality will assist Mrs Sibongile Mudzingwa, a Council employee whose house was destroyed by fire, with US$500.

The resolution was passed during the 510th Ordinary Council meeting on 25 August 2026 following a motion by Councillor Mashonganyika, seconded by Cllr Chenjera and Cllr Pewula.

The meeting ended at 18:43 pm. 16 councillors were absent who had tendered apologies

.#DungwizaNews #Chitungwiza #CouncilCompassion #SibongileMudzingwa

DUNGWIZA NEWS

Chitown Ward 24 Cllr Matsika dismisses claims he backs Jambanja Market demolition

‘Unfortunately, councils operate through resolutions and as an individual, I hold no power to veto any decision arrived at through a majority decision. I have no authority as an individual councillor to halt a Ministerial directive;

Published

2 weeks ago

September 30, 2026

Editor

By Dungwiza News Reporter

CHITUNGWIZA ward 24 Councillor Obert Matsika has broken his silence over accusations that he is siding with the government’s latest directive to demolish illegal vending structures under Operation Chenesa Harare.

Some vendors at Jambanja Market in his ward, reportedly aligned to Zanu PF, have been circulating messages on social media accusing the councillor of supporting the planned destruction of the stalls.

In a statement issued on 26 September 2026 and seen by Dungwiza News, Cllr Matsika said the messages are false, defamatory and laced with hate speech and political malice.

“I have noted with concern some messages circulating on various social media platforms falsely attacking and defaming my character as the Councillor of Ward 24 in Chitungwiza.

“I appeal to Ward 24 residents, stakeholders and the general citizenry to ignore these misleading messages with connotations of hate speech, politically motivated malice and attacks,” Matsika said.

Matsika said he represents all residents in Ward 24, including informal traders, and sympathises with vendors targeted under Operation Chenesa Harare.

He revealed that he was raised by a family of informal traders who paid for his school fees through vending, and that he himself has been a product of Jambanja Market since 2008.

“It pains me to look back and not associate with this market that brought me this far. It is against this background that I will never incite the destruction of market stalls.”

The councillor said that Operation Chenesa Harare is not a Chitungwiza Municipality initiative, but a central government directive being implemented by all local authorities in Harare Metropolitan Province.

“Unfortunately, councils operate through resolutions and as an individual, I hold no power to veto any decision arrived at through a majority decision. I have no authority as an individual councillor to halt a Ministerial directive,” he said.

“Operation Chenesa Harare is a central government directive and is being implemented by all the local authorities in the Harare Metropolitan Province. It is therefore disheartening that some partisan and myopic individuals are spreading falsehoods and hate speech and dragging my name into a process that emanated from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.”

Matsika said he has a soft spot for informal traders at Jambanja and wants a stakeholder-driven solution and reorganisation of vending in the town, rather than destruction.

He noted that informal traders occupy a strategic position in the economy and contribute immensely to the economic development of Zimbabwe.

As a member of Chitungwiza Council’s Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, Matsika said he will continue advocating for the recognition, reorganisation and improvement of the welfare of all informal traders.

Government last week announced a fresh crackdown on illegal vending structures in Harare Metropolitan Province, a move that has triggered anxiety among thousands of informal traders in Chitungwiza who depend on markets like Jambanja for survival.