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John Murwira in Kariba
Kariba plans to relocate at least 390 families from Mahombekombe suburb in Kariba, who are living under 330kv Zesa power lines.

The relocation exercise, which has since become long overdue, is likely to pave way for the redevelopment of the area into five-star tourism facilities.

Kariba Municipality’s director of housing and community services Mr Godfrey Tichaona Magijani said the Mahombekombe relocation project involved moving 390 families living under Zesa way leaves.

Way leaves often refer to rates in lieu of land lying under Zesa power lines, whose land cannot be put under any other use.

“The relocation could have been done long back and we are going to relocate these families to Kasese Housing project, which we are doing in partnership with the Infrastructural Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ),” said Mr Magijani.

“The 1 550 residential stands are being serviced at a cost of $14 million and part of the 391 will be used for the relocation of Mahombekombe residents who are staying under the 330kv power lines.”

The Kasese area, he said, was being serviced through the Kariba and IDBZ deal.

“Kasese is a mixed-density township,” he said.

“Opening of roads is already complete. Excavation and laying of sewer pipes is in progress, as well as excavation of the reservoir.”

Mr Magijani said the Mahombekombe area, where the families were going to be moved from, was a lake shore area, whose land use was going to be changed to commercial purposes.

“Currently, there is the upgrading of Mahombekombe in partnership with the community by constructing new communal toilets to replace old ones,” he said.

Mr Magijani said opening up of Windsor stands – which are 20 by one acre plots – that are overlooking the lake will also be suitable for the construction of tourism-related facilities such as lodges and chalets.