By Patience Gondo
MATABELELAND South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe, has appealed to business people operating around Tshitaudze Shopping Centre and other parts of Beitbridge to come on board and assist in completing civil servants’ flats in the border town.
Nguluvhe said the involvement of local businesses would not only help government fast track the completion of the stalled housing project but would also benefit the business community itself, as the civil servants housed there would become regular customers.
“These people will be living here and naturally they will buy from your shops. Helping to complete these flats is also an investment in your own businesses,” he said while addressing stakeholders in Beitbridge on Monday.
Nguluvhe made the call after touring the unfinished civil servants’ housing complex opposite Zuva Garage a project that has remained incomplete for nearly two decades and has become an eyesore at the town’s entrance.
Demonstrating early support for the initiative, some local businesspeople immediately pledged donations. Businessman Tery pledged relish, while MP Tusani Ndou committed 50 kilograms of rice towards supporting workers at the site.
Nguluvhe also announced that his office would sink a borehole at the housing complex to ensure a reliable water supply once the flats are completed.
Government concern over civil servant’s accommodation particularly for police officers and nurses has grown amid reports of severe overcrowding and high rental costs in Beitbridge causing them to request for transfers.
“House rentals for civil servants are steep and mostly charged in foreign currency. I know for certain that police officers are poorly accommodated and in some cases share rooms divided by curtains,” said Nguluvhe.
He said efforts to provide decent accommodation for civil servants must be stepped up, adding that completing the stalled project was critical to easing pressure on workers.
Currently, four duplex flats are under construction, each designed to accommodate two families.
Nguluvhe also expressed concern over the absence of Beitbridge Municipality officials at a housing stakeholders’ meeting, despite the project falling within their jurisdiction.
“All other departments and organisations were represented. We need to understand why there was no representation from the municipality’s executive and policymakers,” he said.
Nguluvhe further said there is need for transparency in the allocation of the completed housing units, saying fair processes would help restore confidence among civil servants desperate for accommodation.
“I also hope that when the units are completed there will be transparency in the allocations, all government departments should be involved.” he said.