By Ndumiso Tshuma
Bulawayo councillors have raised alarm over the soaring prices of housing stands sold by private developers, warning that the city’s residents are being priced out of home ownership.
Speaking during a full council meeting last week, Ward 21 Councillor Tinevimbo Maposa said the city’s housing waiting list continues to grow, with thousands unable to afford stands on offer.
“Residents feel the council is neglecting its responsibility by leaving the servicing of stands to private developers,” Maposa said.
“As a resident, I cannot buy a stand from the council because there are none available directly from the municipality. It’s concerning that our role in this process appears to be shrinking.”
Maposa added that while partnerships with private companies are acceptable in principle, the council must still provide some serviced stands itself.
“If it’s a 50/50 arrangement with developers, that is fine, but we cannot completely abandon our duty to deliver council-serviced land,” he said.
Prices for housing stands sold by private developers reportedly range from US$10 000 to US$30 000, depending on location and size, well beyond the reach of many on the council’s official housing waiting list, which currently stands at over 100 000 applicants, according to municipal records.
Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu admitted the council lacks the financial capacity to meet residents’ expectations on housing delivery.
“Our previous presale housing schemes failed dismally. We still owe people stands we promised years ago,” Ndlovu said. “The council is struggling to provide even basic services like water and sewage. We must be honest with residents, we simply do not have the resources to do everything.”
Ndlovu warned that the city’s inability to deliver stands or maintain infrastructure risks deepening public dissatisfaction unless the council communicates openly about its constraints.
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