Cabinet approves PPP for Masuwe SEZ bulk infrastructure development, Victoria Falls

(Zimbabwe) CABINET has approved a landmark Public-Private Partnership for the development of bulk infrastructure on Lot 1 of Jafuta Estate in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone in Victoria Falls, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda has said.

Masuwe Special Economic Zone development area

Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in Harare, Dr Soda said the proposal was endorsed between Mosi Oa Tunya Development Company (MTDC) and JR Goddard Private Limited (JRG).

“Cabinet approved the proposed Public-Private Partnership for the Development of Bulk Infrastructure on Lot 1 of Jafuta Estate in Masuwe Special Economic Zone, Victoria Falls, between Mosi Oa Tunya Development Company (MTDC) and JR Goddard Private Limited (JRG),” said Dr Soda.

“The Masuwe Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) is a flagship National Development Project which the Second Republic established in September 2018 with a strategic intent to transform Victoria Falls into a diversified, high-value hub integrating tourism, financial services and sustainable real estate.

“The Special Economic Zone encompasses a total of 1 200 hectares of Jafuta Estate, outside Victoria Falls City and is strategically located within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA)”.

He said the proposed project will entail the surfacing of an eight-kilometre internal road network, the upgrading of nine kilometres of gravel roads, and the construction of a 13-kilometre water pipeline covering the entire 1 200 hectares and neighbouring communities.

Other components include the construction of a package water treatment plant, a sewerage reticulation system, effluent reuse storage ponds, a power substation and the provision of management services for the Special Economic Zone.

“A rigorous evaluation of the project proposal was undertaken in line with the Zimbabwe Investment Development Authority (ZIDA) Act and the Public-Private Partnership Guidelines,” said Dr Soda.

Source: Cabinet approves PPP for bulk infrastructure development (22/04/2026)

Read more on the Masuwe Special Economic Zone development proposals on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.

Victoria Falls City Council development 'masterplan' aims to annex conservation areas for development

(Keep Victoria Falls Wild, December 2024)

Victoria Falls City Council development 'masterplan' aims to annex conservation areas for development while claims of corruption raise concerns over process

In October 2024, following stakeholder consultations held in April (VFCC, April 2024), Victoria Falls City Council released details of the proposed new development 'masterplan' for the future expansion and growth of the urban settlement.

"The Victoria Falls City Council, hereby gives notice, in terms of subsection (2) of section 15 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 29: 12, as read with section 8 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning (Master and Local Plans) Regulations (RGN 248 of 1977), that the Draft Victoria Falls Master Plan has been Adopted and is now on public exhibition commencing 17th October 2024 and ending 16th December 2024." (VFCC, October 2024)

In November the Draft Plan and supporting documents and maps were made available to download online on the Council's website (VFCC, November 2024).

- Victoria Falls Master Plan - Draft Report of Study (April 2024)

- Victoria Falls Master Plan - Draft Written Statement (July 2024)

- Victoria Falls Master Plan - Main Map (Preferred Option)

- Victoria Falls Master Plan - Supporting Map (insert section)

In media reports Victoria Falls town planner, Ms Ntombizami Ncube, stated

"Our masterplan is now a public exhibition. We have already advertised two issues and we are waiting for the third issue... The masterplan will be on public exhibition for the next two months and we request all stakeholders to visit the Victoria Falls Town Planning offices or our website, all the documents are there for viewing. Issues that came out was the need to balance conservation of nature and development planning needs. We would want to expand, we don’t want to encroach into any restricted zones, especially the World Heritage Site, we are not touching." (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, November 2024)

The Draft Plan proposes to significantly expand the area controlled under the Council from just 22 square km to over 244 square km, including the Victoria Falls National Park and a section of the Zambezi National Park, the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, Nakavango Forest and Fuller Forest areas, all previously protected for conservation (see map below - click to download larger jpg file). The proposal includes the identification of some 12 square km of land protected under the Zambezi National Park for development as part of the Council controlled 'land grab'.

It is unclear why the expanded Council controlled area is proposed to cover the Victoria Falls National Park and a significant section of the Zambezi National Park, beyond that identified for development, and the supporting Plan documents make no reference to this significant expansion into National Park protected areas. These two National Parks are currently under the exclusive responsibility of the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority. It is also unclear why such a substantial area of Forestry controlled land to the south of the City is proposed to be included within the new expanded Council controlled area.

The plan offers no trade-off for the loss of the previously protected area of the Zambezi National Park to development expansion. We believe consideration should be given of returning the northern un-developed half of the existing Council controlled area (outlined in white, below) to National Park control, with the tourism concessions within this area also to be transferred to the management of the Park Authority. This area is an important wildlife corridor allowing access to the river above the Falls for elephant, buffalo and other species and was, until the mid-1970s protected as part of the greater Victoria Falls National Park. It is also essential to the integrity of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site which covers the river corridor above and below the Falls. No new development, or expansion of existing developments, should be allowed in this area and the long term aim should be to return as much of this area to nature as possible.

The Plan presents no forecasts or modelling estimates of the projected growth in tourism capacity, which will see increasing peak-season tourist visitor pressures at the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, while the strong seasonality of tourism to the Falls will see hotels and lodges empty for half the year and promised employment opportunities limited to short-term seasonal contracts.

Meanwhile the claims of corruption which surround Victoria Falls Town Clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube, and who has overseen the development of the Plan, raise serious doubts over the integrity of the Master Plan process (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, December 2024a). The apparent extension of his term of office beyond the maximum two four-year periods is un-procedural and raises yet further questions (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, June 2024), as does his reinstatement by a Government Minister following his suspension pending investigation into the significant and serious corruption claims (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, December 2024b).

Map showing proposed expansion of Victoria Falls City Council controlled area, annotated to highlight current area under Council control (white), the area proposed to be annexed from Zambezi National Park (red) and Masuwe Development Zone (purple). Click image for larger (un-annotated) jpg version - 5.37mb. The map clearly shows the Victoria Falls National Park as within proposed new Council Controlled area.

Map showing proposed enlarged section of central Victoria Falls City Council controlled area (click image for larger jpg version - 1.15mb).

References

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (June 2024) Pushback as Victoria Falls council boss clings to power. 15th June.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (November 2024) Victoria Falls masterplan open to scrutiny.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (December 2024a) Corruption and abuse of office: Victoria Falls Town Clerk and 2024 CEO of the year suspended. 5th December.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (December 2024b) Government reverses ‘unprocedural suspension’ of Victoria Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube. 8th December.

Victoria Falls City Council (April 2024) City Master Plan: Shaping the Future of Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls City Council (October 2024) Notice of Draft Master Plan on Public Exhibition.

Victoria Falls masterplan open to scrutiny

VICTORIA Falls City Council has completed the crafting of a new masterplan and opened it for scrutiny with priority being put on balancing conservation and infrastructure development.

The move buttresses President Mnangagwa’s launch of the “Call to Action — No Compromise to Service Delivery” blueprint, which provides guidelines for local authorities to ensure they provide efficient services that are in line with Vision 2030.

In the “Call to Action,” the President chairs a bi-annual review meeting to assess the performance of all local authorities in a move aimed at improving service delivery in towns and cities.

All local authorities are now obliged to adhere to a stipulated minimum threshold of service delivery before the approval of their budgets.
According to the blueprint, the quality of service provision by local authorities should be in line with an upper-middle-income economy.

Most local authorities have been operating without masterplans while those that have, were reportedly using outdated local plans.
Victoria Falls City Council also successfully finished drafting its 2025 budget, which was presented to the full council recently as the local authority strives to meet deadlines and targets set by the Government.

Speaking to journalists, Victoria Falls town planner, Ms Ntombizami Ncube, said the guiding document was now open to public scrutiny.

“Our masterplan is now a public exhibition. We have already advertised two issues and we are waiting for the third issue,” she said.

“We started last year and managed to meet the deadline of June 30. It was submitted to the Department of Spatial Planning for review and put on public exhibition.

“The masterplan will be on public exhibition for the next two months and we request all stakeholders to visit the Victoria Falls Town Planning offices or our website, all the documents are there for viewing.

“Issues that came out was the need to balance conservation of nature and development planning needs. We would want to expand, we don’t want to encroach into any restricted zones, especially the World Heritage Site, we are not touching,” she said.

Victoria Falls City is surrounded by Chamabondo National Park, Zambezi National Park and Victoria Falls National Park, which is home to the Mighty Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world.

The city was declared a Unesco World Heritage site and should be maintained in its pristine state with no disturbance to the natural environment, emphasising harmony between nature and humans.

Tourism, backed by wildlife and the environment is the cornerstone of Victoria Falls’ economy. Ms Ncube said after the display period and objections on the masterplan, a summary will be compiled and a report on the recommendations of the local authority prepared. These will be sent to the Ministry of Local Government, which will review the document for approval.

“The minister will approve and it will go on display for six weeks and during that period only issues that deal with issues of law will be dealt with. If it is felt that the document was done ultra vires then the issues will be dealt with,” said Ms Ncube.

Victoria Falls town clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube, said the local authority tried to do its processes timeously to maintain good governance.

“We are on time in terms of meeting the deadline. Technically, we can say our masterplan has been completed and this means we are a compliant local authority, particularly regarding the direction and instruction guidance, which we get from our parent ministry because when you look at the masterplan, it speaks to the ‘Call of Action’ and no compromise to service delivery as espoused by President Mnangagwa,” he said. — @ncubeleon

Source: Victoria Falls masterplan open to scrutiny (05/11/24)

Victoria Falls City Master Plan: Shaping the Future of Victoria Falls

August 1, 2024 

The City of Victoria Falls recently hosted a pivotal meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the progress of the City’s master plan development. This collaborative effort brought together representatives from the local government, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the tourism industry, community organizations, and urban planning experts. The meeting was marked by a spirit of open dialogue and a shared commitment to shaping a sustainable future for Victoria Falls.

A Collaborative Effort for a Sustainable Future

The gathering was an important milestone in the development of the City’s master plan, reflecting the collaborative spirit of all participants. Stakeholders engaged in comprehensive discussions, addressing various aspects of urban development, tourism management, and community welfare. This inclusive approach ensures that the master plan will be well-rounded, addressing the needs and aspirations of all sectors of society.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

Open Dialogue and Shared Commitment

One of the standout features of the meeting was the open dialogue between the diverse group of stakeholders. Representatives from different sectors shared their insights, concerns, and suggestions, fostering a sense of unity and mutual understanding. This shared commitment to Victoria Falls’ future underscored the importance of collective action in achieving sustainable development.

Focus on Sustainable Development

Sustainability was a central theme throughout the discussions. Stakeholders emphasized the need for environmentally responsible urban planning that preserves the natural beauty of Victoria Falls while accommodating growth and development. Strategies to minimize the environmental footprint of new developments, enhance green spaces, and promote eco-friendly tourism were key topics of conversation.

Integration of Tourism and Community Welfare

The meeting also highlighted the critical balance between promoting tourism and ensuring the well-being of the local community. Participants discussed ways to enhance the tourism infrastructure while safeguarding the interests of residents. Ideas such as improving local amenities, creating job opportunities, and ensuring fair distribution of tourism revenue were explored to ensure that the benefits of tourism are felt by all.

Pathway to Finalizing the Master Plan

The constructive discussions have paved the way for the Council to finalize the master plan ahead of the June 30th deadline. The insights and feedback gathered from the meeting will be instrumental in refining the plan, ensuring it addresses the diverse needs of the community and aligns with the City’s vision for the future.

Transformative Era of Development

This collaborative approach sets the stage for a transformative era of development in Victoria Falls. By integrating the perspectives of various stakeholders, the master plan aims to create a balanced and inclusive framework for the City’s growth. The plan will prioritize the well-being of both the local community and the City’s thriving tourism industry, fostering a harmonious and prosperous future.

Looking Forward: A Shared Vision

The City of Victoria Falls is committed to maintaining the momentum generated by this successful meeting. As the finalization of the master plan approaches, the Council will continue to engage with stakeholders, ensuring that the plan remains dynamic and responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities.

Source: Victoria Falls City Master Plan: Shaping the Future of Victoria Falls (01/08/2024)