By Flata Kavinga
City of Kwekwe Housing Director Edison Chiangwa has raised concern over a series of boundary-related disputes with Zibagwe Rural District Council (ZRDC), saying the issues are affecting land administration, revenue collection and service delivery.
He made the remarks during the ZRDC Strategic Plan Workshop held in Kwekwe this week.
Changwa said although relations between the two local authorities remain cordial, conflicts over jurisdiction have become a major challenge. He alleged that Zibagwe had initiated a housing project on land belonging to Kwekwe City, creating confusion over land ownership and service provision.
“Our challenges border on boundaries. Zibagwe has put a housing project on our land. That is our first challenge,” he said.
Chiangwa added that the city was losing revenue from endowment fees—payments made by developers to the local authority in whose area they operate. He claimed Zibagwe was collecting fees for developments taking place on land that Kwekwe believes falls under its jurisdiction.
“Developers pay a certain percentage to councils when selling stands. Zibagwe is collecting what is due to Kwekwe. That land belongs to us,” he said. “Zibagwe must understand that we have services that we are giving on that land.”
Chiangwa also highlighted concerns over mining activities within areas he said fall under Kwekwe’s jurisdiction. He cited a mine pegged by a Chinese investor on land partly allocated to Midlands State University, saying Zibagwe had issued operating permits without engaging Kwekwe City.
“Let’s do the mining pegging process together,” he said, noting that similar issues had occurred near Themba Musekiwa building along the Harare Road where Kwekwe has hotel sites.
He urged ZRDC to consult Kwekwe before authorising land transfers or mining operations in peri-urban zones bordering the city.
On infrastructure, Chiangwa said Kwekwe was planning to relocate the decommissioned Kwekwe Aerodrome, previously shut down due to its proximity to housing developments. He said the city intended to establish a new airport along Chiundura Road.
Chiangwa also raised environmental and service delivery concerns, including unregulated settlements, deforestation, sand poaching and solid waste management in peri-urban areas.
“We are saying let’s do something together to make sure that refuse is collected and controlled,” he said.
He added that uncontrolled livestock movements were damaging city infrastructure. Kwekwe has impounded 10 cattle and he said domestic animals had grazed flowers planted at the second roundabout along the Harare Road.
Chiangwa warned that illegal firewood cutting on the outskirts of the city was contributing to deforestation, while poor settlement planning in neighbouring areas was affecting property values in suburbs such as Chicago.
On health services, Chiangwa said Kwekwe was experiencing an increase in patients coming from rural areas but maintained that the city was coping with the demand.
“In terms of health care, according to us there is no challenge. We now have a doctor,” he said.
Chiangwa urged stronger coordination between the two councils, especially in boundary demarcation, environmental protection and urban planning, to safeguard the status and orderly development of Kwekwe and its surroundings.
