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Takunda Maodza Mutare Bureau
FUNDING for the Sakubva Urban Renewal project is ready and contractors are expected on the ground next week.
The multi-million-dollar project, which was commissioned by President Mnangagwa on December 18 last year, seeks to modernise the old and run down Sakubva suburb, turning Mutare into a smart city in line with Government’s Vision 2030.

In an interview yesterday, Plan Infrastructure Development (PID) — the consultant and developer of Sakubva Renewal — said steel and electrical equipment for the project were on their way from South Africa.
Work will start with the Sakubva Flea Market.

“We have concluded financial closures for the different buildings in the project. There are different investors. We are expecting contractors to be on site next week and more contractors by the end of the month (February). We will start with the Sakubva Flea Market, then Coronation Flats and the Green Market,” said PID architecture and infrastructure planner Mr Hillary Mukaratirwa.

He said more contractors were expected on the ground by March.
“More will be on site in March for the other developments. We have about 32 haulage trucks coming from South Africa with material, mainly steel and electricals. The trucks are coming next week and will head straight to Mutare,” added Mr Mukaratirwa.

“The project is over subscribed. Pension funds, insurance companies and even individuals also want the apartments,” he said.
The project will see the demolition of the old Sakubva houses and the construction of modern high-rise apartments.
The first Sakubva houses were built around 1925 and are dilapidated and unhygienic.
The project is a public private partnership arrangement.

The City of Mutare is providing land and BancABC the finance. PID developed the project concept and are the designers, engineers and developers.

The project will also see the revamping of the Sakubva long-distance bus terminus, Sakubva Stadium, Sakubva Beit Hall and Sakubva Vegetable Market.
Sakubva Stadium is in a sorry state.

Last year, it was abandoned by Premier Soccer League football team Manica Diamonds Football Club.
The Sakubva Vegetable Market is in a worse state. Some houses in Sakubva have just two rooms. Access to shelter is a basic necessity and countries like Rwanda are investing heavily in housing through the construction of multi-million-dollar apartments.