By Admore Mbonda In Kariba
Kariba — In a recent meeting, the Kariba Municipality met with beneficiaries of the Kasese Housing Scheme to assess the progress of stand servicing and chart a path forward.
The gathering highlighted ongoing frustrations among residents regarding the prolonged timeline for essential services.
Patience Hakata Banda, a local teacher and long-time resident, voiced her disappointment: “I bought this stand in 2013 when my child was in primary school. Now he’s doing A-level. I’m very disappointed; we are tired of being lectured without action.
How will learners respect us when we are renting?” Her sentiments echoed the feelings of many who have been waiting for over a decade for their promised homes.
The Kasese stands were sold under a self-aided scheme, which required beneficiaries—including members from various housing cooperatives, government departments, and private entities—to service the land collectively.
However, due to insufficient funding, the consortium struggled to make progress. The Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) stepped in to support the project, managing to install about 55% of the necessary services before the economic disruptions of 2018.
Despite efforts to resume the project, challenges such as funding shortages and legal delays—compounded by work suspensions from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and Parks—have hindered completion.
Although the Supreme Court eventually cleared the way for resumption, financial constraints remain a significant barrier.
In alignment with the Government Settlement Policy, no occupation is permitted until roads, water, and sewer services are fully installed.
Mayor Cllr Ralph Nyasha Maoneyi acknowledged the beneficiaries’ concerns while urging compliance with national policies. “We cannot allow occupation of undeveloped land,” he stated, although he promised to meet with the Kasese Beneficiaries’ Committee again to discuss further steps.
Leonard Mapondera, chairperson of the Kasese consortium, expressed his frustration: “Beneficiaries have waited for 13 years. It’s like having money in your account but being unable to withdraw it. What have these beneficiaries done to deserve this? They need respect.”
The government maintains that its policy against settlements on unserviced land aims to prevent disease outbreaks and ensure orderly urban planning.
Critics argue that demolitions often unfairly target innocent residents, particularly those misled by land barons. Many residents claim they were deceived, and the council’s response has been perceived as harsh.
The government emphasizes that housing is a fundamental right, but it must be exercised responsibly. Authorities are urged to prioritize infrastructure development and to manage sewer and water systems effectively before allocating land for development.
As the issue of unserviced settlements continues to challenge Zimbabwe, residents like Godfrey Magombed, chairman of the Kasese residents, remain adamant: “We are not going back to putting temporary structures. Water and sanitation will find us here.”
The struggle for adequate housing and essential services in Kariba reflects broader issues within Zimbabwe’s urban planning and housing policies, as both residents and authorities navigate the complexities of development and community needs.
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