By Patience Gondo
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe, on Monday toured the servant flats opposite Zuva Garage in Beitbridge that has remained incomplete for nearly two decades.
The flats are part of the Beitbridge Redevelopment Project started in 2006.
The initiative was aimed at providing affordable accommodation for civil servants in the border town, where rental costs are largely charged in foreign currency.
The project has been restarted and will be done in three phases.
Phase One entails the completion of four blocks of flats two garden flat blocks and two duplex flat blocks along with supporting infrastructure.
Nguluvhe said the phase has been prioritised as Matabeleland South Province prepares to host the 46th Independence Celebrations.
According an official of the National Housing Ministry, Phase One is expected to be completed by the end of March 2026.
The official said their major constraint is late disbursement of funds to the extent that project was temporarily closed from November 2024 to October 2025 due to lack of funding .
The construction site currently has 21 workers, a number described as adequate given the present level of material supply.
Inmates from Beitbridge Prison are also assisting in supporting construction works which Nguluvhe applauded.
Addressing stakeholders, Nguluvhe said the completion of the housing project was critical in easing accommodation challenges faced by civil servants in Beitbridge.
“Beitbridge is a border town where rentals are charged in United States dollars or South African rands, yet civil servants are earning in Zimbabwe Gold,” Nguluvhe said.
“This project is key to addressing that imbalance.”
Nguluvhe said there is need for transparency in the allocation of the housing units, calling for a fair process that allocates accommodation ministry by ministry.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director for Estate Management and Provincial Coordination in Matabeleland South Nkosinomusa Nguluvhe said progress on the project was being affected by delays in funding.
“We are still awaiting the release of funds to pay material suppliers and subcontractors,” she said .
“The immediate release of funds is critical to procure materials, pay wages and speed up construction if we are to meet the March deadline.”
The Beitbridge Redevelopment Housing Project is expected to play a significant role in improving living conditions for civil servants stationed in the border town, where high rental costs have long been cited as a major challenge.