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Sydney Kawadza Mash West Bureau Chief
The six-member commission set up to assess the state of Chinhoyi Municipality’s readiness for city status has handed over its report to Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo for determination.

The commission, comprising the ministry’s principal director for urban local authorities, Ms Erica Jones; former Kwekwe town clerk Mr Musara Ngwena, Engineer Edwick Vheremu, principal planning officer Mr Kudakwashe Hlatshwayo, financial advisor Mr Theodore Dzvairo and principal administrative officer Mr Munyaradzi Motsi, was appointed in terms of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15).

Government had, in setting up the commission, indicated that Chinhoyi’s previous applications and commissions did not use any laid down criteria for city status other than the general issues raised in the first schedule of the Urban Councils Act, hence the appointment of the commission.

Minister Moyo confirmed receiving the report in an interview recently adding that Government was still holding consultations with various stakeholders over the application.

“Being accorded City status is a big issue, both, locally and internationally, because those who assess would not be amused if they notice that we were not thorough in our assessments and they will never trust our cities again so that is why we take our time looking at various issues,” he said.

The committee held consultations with various stakeholders in Chinhoyi looking at the town’s population size, growth potential, governance systems, revenue base and the infrastructure.

Also under scrutiny was Chinhoyi Municipality’s services such as water supplies, waste water management, power supply and financial services while the town’s master plan was also  critical.

The commission also checked on the local authority’s other services such as health facilities, cremation, burial and funeral services.

Minister Moyo added: “The commission completed its work and we have since started the internal processes in consultation with other ministries because when we accord city status we need to make sure you have adequate land for the expected growth.”

In 2016, Government turned down an application by Chinhoyi Municipality to be accorded city status, saying it lacked the requisite basic infrastructure.

African Centre for Cities Planning Consultant Dr Percy Toriro said a commission set up to review the status of an urban area is very procedural and methodical in terms of what to look for.

“They will have a checklist and it is a matter of ticking the relevant boxes in terms of whether it qualifies for the applied status or not,” he said.

“The issues looked at are to do with urban facilities such as traffic lights, parks, golf courses and levels of service delivery capabilities.

‘‘If they meet requirements, the commission submits a report of their findings with their recommendation to the ministry responsible for local government. A decision will then be made and thereafter publicised.”

Dr Toriro said the commission would consider the capacity of the municipality to provide employment, the total value of land and buildings as shown by the valuation roll, the town’s status as an industrial or commercial hub, tourism and other services such as radio stations, range of available shopping facilities, educational facilities and historical significance.

“After the assessment, and the minister’s consideration of the report, the ministry in turn presents its findings before Parliament, after which this passes on to the President,” he said.

“It is finally the President who confers the new status upon which the local authority assumes the new title of ‘City of X’ once the decision is gazetted.”

Chinhoyi has been pressing for city status, but Government has turned down several of its applications, pointing to outstanding issues such improvement in service delivery and infrastructure development.