Shurugwi Multi- Million Dollar Infrastructure Development Initiatives Spur Town' s Urban Renewal

By Delicious Mathuthu

Shurugwi - The Mining Town of Shurugwi is spearheading an ambitious urban renewal initiative, aligning with Zimbabwe's Second Republic's push to modernize urbanspaces, address housing shortages and stimulate economic growth under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS-1).

The national agenda, launched post-2017 political transition, targets transformative infrastructure upgrades and the delivery of over 1 million housing units, having already surpassed its initial goal of 220,000 units by 2025.

In Shurugwi, a mining-dependent town in Midlands Province with a population of approximately 23,350 based on a 2022 census, and growing at 2% annually, Shurugwi Town Council is focusing on housing, infrastructure and commercial development to transform the town's landscape.

However, longstanding challenges particularly illegal mining and environmental degradation threaten the Town's progress.

Shurugwi Town Council Housing and Community Services Officer, Fortune Marevesa, outlined the council's efforts to develop residential and commercial spaces.

One flagship project involves a partnership with the Mining Industry Pension Fund (MIPF) to develop residential stands on council-owned land.

The MIPF development consists of 310 medium- to low-density stands, with a total investment of US$2.8 million

The local authority sold the land for development to the fund.

"The farm is ours as council, we have a deed of transfer, so all allocations and developments are under our supervision," Marevesa said.

The project includes fully serviced stands with access roads, storm-water drainage systems, water and sewer reticulation, all of which have reached 100% physical coverage, Marevesa said.

The initiative aims to ease pressure on Shurugwi's limited housing stock of about 4,300 units against rising demand, particularly from mining families and MIPF members.

Illegal mining has however disrupted progress in some parts of the area, most occurring after servicing of stands.

"Some pits, mined out by illegal miners, have created trenches stretching across tarred roads, posing safety risks," Marevesa said.

The council said it is not standing by as they are engaging the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency to assess underground damage and determine the feasibility of continuing development.

In some cases, engaging legal recourse to fix the problems.

"We've engaged the Ministry of Mines, but we're not finding joy in finalizing this challenge, so we're now involving our lawyers to issue summons through the High Court to evict some of these people," Marevesa said.

Across the stream from the local authority's stands, medium-density schemes by Gweru based land developer Sheasham Investments, and CGM Construction are advancing.

"Under CGM, they've managed all off-site infrastructure like water, sewer, roads and drainage systems," Marevesa noted.

The CGM Construction section, covering 602 stands averaging 300m², has cost approximately US$1.6 million, while Sheasham Investments has developed 432 stands averaging 400m² at a cost of US$1.2 million.

Both developers have completed onsite infrastructure, with road surfacing outstanding to meet the council's full-tarred standard.

Further down, another MIPF low-density scheme under the Impali area is underway, consisting of 500 low-density stands serviced with water reticulation systems, though access road surfacing, covering about 10 km, remains pending.

MIPF Complex

The MIPF Complex, a state-of-the-art commercial facility spanning over a hectare, is a cornerstone of Shurugwi's urban renewal drive.

Developed since 2022, it houses 30 shops, including a Pick n Pay hypermarket, Edgars/Jet clothing outlets, pharmacies, boutiques, and salons, at a total cost of US$7.8 million.

"We are happy as council to be presenting this facility. It has improved the image of our town and renewed its face," Marevesa said.

The complex employs locals, generates revenue through licenses and rates, and attracts banking sector interest, contributing to economic growth, he said.

Traffic management however remains a challenge.

"We might need to provide more parking space for buses and heavy trucks to ensure the facility remains viable for tenants," Marevesa suggested.

Shurugwi Town Secretary, Archibald Ncube, said the council's mandate is to deliver services through housing and infrastructure projects.

"We are engaging qualified land developers to service stands with tarred roads, water, sewerage, and drainage systems," he said.

Ncube further said council is allocating land for primary and secondary schools to support community growth, aligning with national housing policies.

He echoed Marevesa's concerns about illegal mining

"Miners… come after [stands] are serviced… destroying roads and drainage systems," he said.

Beyond housing, the council has implemented critical infrastructure projects, improving service delivery.

A Trunk Sewer Line Project, completed in wards 5, 10, 11, 12 and Magakooshla at a cost of US$2.05 million, has enhanced sanitation and reduced environmental contamination.

A Dedicated Electricity Power Line Project, valued at US$134,000, now powers the Manzimdaka Water Treatment Plant, with the first phase already complete, and Impali Pump Station, which is at 98% complete, improving water supply frequency.

Similarly, the Mambowa Nickel Shaft Solarisation Project, funded through the local authority's own revenue, at US$72,000, has enabled daily water supply consistency for residents.

On the health front, the Sebanga Polyclinic, constructed through intergovernmental transfers, Public Private Partnership (PPP), and council revenue at a cost of over US$19,000 was completed in 2023, reducing patient travel distances from 5km to 0.5km and easing pressure on Shurugwi District Hospital.