After demolishing several houses, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime has promised to dish out $264 mln to build new houses.

No date was given.

“The housing backlog stands at more than 1,3 million countrywide, with Harare accounting for the bulk of this requirement. As a result prevalence of informal settlements that lack basic infrastructure and sustainable service has increased significantly across most towns and cities,” reads Infrastructure Investment Plan document, reported by the state media.

It noted that Government alone could not meet the rapidly growing demand for decent shelter, especially in urban areas.

“An amount of $264 million will be invested into the housing sector during 2019, comprising of $192 million in fiscal resources and $71,9 million from the market and public entity contributions. The task of improving inclusive settlement will require investments beyond the capacity of the Budget,” reads the document.

“In this regard, Government will institute policy interventions that will allow for the development of synergies and participation of all stakeholders, including private sector, employers, citizens and development partners in the provision of shelter,” it says.

Official figures show that Zimbabwe requires about 15 to 20 years to clear its national housing backlog that has ballooned over the years.

Government has stated that it will come up with various financing strategies to provide low cost serviced land for housing development in partnership with the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe and the Urban Development Corporation.