LOCAL Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere has defied protests by Bulawayo City Council and other key stakeholders and gone ahead to invite tenders for the development of a “stand-alone” youths suburb in the city.
BY NQOBANI NDLOVU
Two weeks ago, he toured the 316ha Umvutsha B Farm where the 20 000 housing stands would be developed.
Kasukuwere, who doubles as Zanu PF national commissar, has already invited tenders, through the state-controlled Urban Development Corporation (Udcorp), for the design of the suburb to be named Umvutsha.
Part of the tender invitation read: “Urban Development Corporation is requesting for detailed topographical survey of Umvutsha (B) (316ha) in Bulawayo for the proposed new stand-alone town. Invitations are extended to properly registered land survey companies registered with the Registrar of Companies in Zimbabwe and meeting the following requirements…”
Interested bidders were expected to be registered with the Survey Institute of Zimbabwe or the Council of Land Surveyors in Zimbabwe and must also provide proof of registration with the Registrar of Companies in Zimbabwe.
The submission of tenders ends on Friday.
Kasukuwere has declared that he will not be stopped by anyone in ensuring 20 000 home-seekers were given stands in Bulawayo despite resistance from the local authority, the opposition MDC-T party and the Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPPRA).
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BPPRA has accused Kasukuwere of seeking to cause “disorder” in the provision of housing stands through a parallel programme, arguing the responsibility to provide stands lies with the city council.
But the minister said as soon as construction of houses started at Umvutsha, another 600 hectares would be availed for further housing developments.
