Lorraine Ndawi
Masvingo City Mayor, Cllr Aleck Tabe, has raised alarm over alooming health crisis in Victoria Range, where many houses have been built without proper planning or approval. The warning came during a full council meeting held yesterday (29/925) in Masvingo.
Mayor Tabe revealed that some of the houses are sitting on wetlands, while others have been built on land that had been set aside for important public services such as hospitals and schools. He said this situation could lead to serious health risks for residents in the near future, as wetlands are not suitable for housing and may cause problems like waterborne diseases, flooding, and poor sanitation.
The Mayor also highlighted that building on land meant for schools and hospitals is a big setback for community development. If this trend continues, he said, residents in Victoria Range may be left without enough space for essential services such as education and healthcare.
In response to the crisis, Masvingo City Council has started talks with Masvingo Rural District Council (RDC), since the two authorities both play a role in managing the affected area. Mayor Tabe stressed that joint efforts are needed to solve the problem and protect the welfare of residents.
The warning comes at a time when Masvingo, like many other urban areas in Zimbabwe, is facing rising pressure from illegal housing developments. Residents are now waiting to hear what measures will be taken to regularize houses in Victoria Range and ensure safe and healthy living conditions for the community.
Victoria Range, with a population of over 10 000 people was fast tracked during the time when Zanu PF was losing its grip on power due to threat from the then Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC in the early 2000s.
Land was parceled out with reckless abandon to would be voters as a way of buying support hence its haphazard planning with land barons pocketing millions meant for servicing of stands.
The situation is the same throughout all urban settlements in the country with Harare leading the way.
Roads in the so called new suburbs are impassable and flooding is the order of the day during the rain season.
