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George Maponga in Masvingo
Mpandawana Town Board in Gutu has applied to Government for permission to acquire at least six peri-urban farms for expansion under a 12-year plan that is expected to make it one of the biggest towns in Masvingo over the next decade. The town board is waiting for approval from the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and National Housing to take over Turura, Pweesruit, Amatola, Wheatlands, Darryval and Chomufuli farms, which cover over 4 400 hectares.

It is envisaged that the new land will be used for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. Mpandawana Town Board chairperson Mr Gabriel Mapepa yesterday said they were waiting for Government’s nod to take over the farms.

“We have already held talks with some of the families that will be affected by Mpandawana town’s takeover of the farms in question and struck an agreement on the compensation model once we get the green light to move in,’’ he said. Mpandawana’s 12-year strategic plan seeks to make it one of the biggest urban settlements in Masvingo by 2028.

“Each of the families that will be displaced will be allocated five hectares agricultural land, a commercial and residential stand together with one industrial stand by the town board as compensation.’’ Mr Mapepa said the expansion is likely to affect both model A1 and A2 farmers. After the planned takeover of the farms, Mpandawana will expand in two directions — towards the Chartsworth commercial farming area to the west and also in the direction of 4,2 Infantry Brigade cantonment to the south.

Mpandawana is Masvingo’s only other town after Chiredzi, which is currently the biggest in the province. Government granted Mpandawana, then a growth point, town status in 2014, after a State-appointed commission recommended the upgrade. This culminated in the setting up of Mpandawana Town Board as a standalone local authority from Gutu Rural District Council.