Story by Tafadzwa Chigwedere
RESIDENTS of Caledonia in Goromonzi South have made a passionate plea for the speedy regularisation of their settlement to ensure social amenities are availed as approved by the government last year.
The over 100 000 residents are waiting with bated breath for the regularisation of the residential area after the secondment of a joint committee comprising councillors from Harare, Goromonzi Rural District Council and Ruwa Local Board last year.
With most of the roads in the area now impassable after the heavy rains, residents have once again spoken on their plight, which also includes a lack of schools and other social amenities.
“We don’t have government schools and clinics, residents are relying on private players who are very expensive. Women are walking long distances to access the nearest clinics in Mabvuku. Some areas are no longer accessible owing to the bad state of the roads,” said a resident.
Caledonia Residents Association Trust Chairperson, Mr Trust Zvakurumbira is confident that the joint committee will resolve the outstanding issues as a matter of urgency.
“People have in the past been short-changed by some developers in the First Republic and we are hopeful that the Joint Committee appointed in the Second Republic will correct the past mistakes and bring service to the people. We are prepared to pay for our development,” he said.
Chairperson of the Caledonia Joint Committee, Mr Brighton Sanyika said the consultative process is now complete with the report now ready to be presented to the government.
“The committee was appointed by the government through Statutory Instrument 222 of 2021 with a mandate to regularise Caledonia. Consultations were made and the committee has come up with a report which will be presented to the government soon,” noted Sanyika.
The government appointed the joint committee through Statutory Instrument 222 of 2021 to regularise the residential area and develop it into an upmarket urban settlement.
