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Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau

Mvuma town has started expanding towards the Harare-Masvingo Highway to ensure that it can cope with the massive US$1 billion iron and steel plant under construction near the town.

Government upgraded Mvuma to town status last year as the Second Republic seeks to change the face of the area following the major investment by a Chinese steelmaker.

Mvuma District Development Coordinator Mr Jorum Chimedza said the investment to set up one of the biggest steel plants in Africa by Chinese Group Tsingshan Holdings was progressing well, with the town developing as a result.

“The plant set up is progressing very well and what is exciting is that as a town we are also responding to this development and slowly growing,” he said.

“The steel plant is set to not only change the face of Mvuma, but will have a positive impact to the nation at large.”

Mr Chimedza said the iron and steel plant operating under Dronson Iron and Steel Company had already started employing dozens of local people for the preparatory works.

“It’s actually a hive of activity at the plant and dozens of our local people were employed by this company, the majority of them doing casual and preparatory work.”

Mr Chimedza said there was over 3 000 hectares available for the expansion of the town. “The plant is a game changer and the Second Republic has been giving the company the much needed support and they are likely to meet their target,” he said.

“This means our town will also be growing and there is vast amount of land to allow for its expansion.”

The company management has projected that it would need at least two years to complete the construction of the plant.

When complete, the company says over 6 000 jobs will be created.