Story by Jerold Sasa
Mutoko Centre’s bid for town status has received a major boost after a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a modern shopping mall which is expected to change the face of the area.
The shopping mall set to be named Tokyo Mall will be built on a 4500 square metre piece of land adjacent to the Mutoko bus terminus and will comprise supermarkets, a service station, a food court, pharmacies and other services.
The developer, Blessing Mutize says the project resonates with the government’s mantra of “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo” as the company is based in Mutoko.
“We have adopted the government’s concept of Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo as our company is from Mutoko,” he said.
The development has been welcomed by Mutoko Rural District Council and the government for boosting Mutoko Centre’s quest to attain town status, while also contributing to rural industrialisation.
Mutoko RDC chief executive officer Billard Tasarira said, “As council, we are very happy with this project as it boosts our chances of attaining town status which we are already working towards.”
Meanwhile, Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Aplonia Munzverengwi said, “As government, we will support such projects as they are bringing the much-needed developments in our communities.”
A Town board committee made up of councillors and management was set up in October last year to manage the affairs of Mutoko Centre as it pushes for town status.
