Online Reporter
MORE than twenty-five government priority projects for the third 100-day cycle across various ministries have surpassed 50% completion, demonstrating the Second Republic’s resolve to deliver people-centred development and fulfil its mandate.
The priority project progress was outlined at the 33rd Post-Cabinet Media briefing in Harare, where government cited substantial advances in projects under the Ministries of Tourism and Hospitality, Energy and Power Development, and Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs.
Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere stated that five chalets have been completed at the Holy Cross Dam Chalets project while the Deeds Automation and Digitisation project is thriving and on track for its year-end completion target.
“The Integrated Electronic Case Management System project is progressing fairly well, and all targets are being met within specified deadlines. Smart Metering Project in all Provinces is at 65% completion. Tamarind Lodges in Nyanga construction of conference facilities, kitchen and restaurant is 80% complete,” Dr Muswere said.
In another development, the government has approved the introduction of the User Pays Principle to guide compensation for government housing projects established on privately owned indigenous properties, farms and urban state land.
Under the new framework, beneficiaries of the Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle Programme will be required to pay the full development costs, including the value of the land, servicing, and other related expenses.
Announcing the decision, Dr Muswere said government will facilitate negotiations between landowners and beneficiaries to allow residents to purchase the land directly over an agreed period.
“Under the “User Pays Principle”, beneficiaries of the Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle Programme will be required to pay for the total development costs inclusive of the value of land, cost of servicing and any other associated costs. Government will facilitate negotiations between the indigenous and other land owners and the beneficiaries, thereby allowing the residents to purchase the land directly over an agreed period of time. One such notable property is the 1 065.7 hectare Whitecliff farm in Harare where 11 000 families are settled. Government and Eddies Pfugari Estate agreed on US$44 million as compensation for the land,” he said.
The move, Dr Muswere said, is aimed at regularising settlements and ensuring fairness to landowners while promoting accountability and sustainable urban development.
Government also highlighted that the country is set to achieve another record-breaking wheat harvest this year, solidifying its position as one of only two African countries to attain self-sufficiency in wheat production.
So far, 588 470 metric tonnes of wheat have been harvested from 113 077 hectares, surpassing last year’s record output of 562 091 metric tonnes. An additional 9 489 hectares of the total 122 566 hectares planted are expected to be harvested by the first week of November 2025.
“During the current season, cumulatively 588 470 metric tonnes have been harvested from 113 077 hectares. This volume already surpasses our last year’s record production of 562 091 metric tonnes. An additional 9 489 hectares of the 122 566 hectares planted should be harvested as per plan, and by the first week of November 2025. This production is 511% increase from 2019. This wheat production already exceeds our national annual requirement, estimated conservatively at 360 000 metric tonnes. Zimbabwe is only one of two jurisdictions on the African continent that have become wheat self-sufficient,” Dr Muswere noted.
