Midlands Reporter
SHURUGWI – In a significant move to address land shortages and curb illegal settlements, the Shurugwi Town Council has proposed expanding its boundaries by a 10-kilometre radius, a plan that is now awaiting ministerial approval.
The expansion aims to incorporate surrounding farms including Impali Source, Adare Farm, Little Impali, Terrain, Bethnol, and Magakooshla A and B, according to Town Secretary Mr. Archibald Ncube.
Mr. Ncube emphasized that the expansion is urgently needed due to Shurugwi’s challenging topography and growing development pressures.
“Shurugwi’s mountainous terrain leaves very little developable land within its current limits, creating immense pressure on peri-urban zones where unplanned and illegal developments are mushrooming,” he said.
“By unlocking new land, the council aims to create orderly housing opportunities, support commercial growth, and bring sanity to land use management.”
He also highlighted the threat posed by illegal mining activities, particularly in the Impali area, which has degraded land earmarked for future development.
“This challenge underlines the urgency of expanding formalised town boundaries to protect development zones from encroachment,” Ncube added.
Dialogue with the Tongogara Rural District Council is ongoing, and the proposal is pending approval from the Minister of Local Government and Public Works.
In a related development, Redcliff Municipality unveiled its own ambitious plan to attain city status by 2030, which includes relocating its Central Business District (CBD) closer to the highway to boost economic activity and tourism.
Redcliff Municipality spokesperson, Mr. Michael Magoronga, announced the strategy during the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Mutare.
“Our vision is to become a city by 2030. We plan to relocate the central business district closer to the highway where there is economic activity,” said Magoronga.
He noted that the municipality is guided by a draft master plan that outlines future land use and infrastructure priorities. With 6,400 hectares of land—only half of which is currently utilized—Redcliff is well-positioned for growth. Approximately 2,000 hectares have been reserved specifically for tourism-related development.
“We have enough land, and only 50 percent is currently utilised,” Magoronga stated.
“About 2,000 hectares is reserved for tourism-related development.”
The relocation of the CBD is expected to attract investment, enhance commercial activity, and support the town’s transition into a city, aligning with broader economic diversification goals.
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