The City of Masvingo convened a key workshop on the Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the 10^th of June 2025, bringing together stakeholders to assess local progress and strengthen community-led development.

Held in the Civic Centre Town Hall, the workshop focused on aligning Council policies, strategic plan and service delivery with the SDGs, promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation.

The VLR process allows Council to reflect on the current status, celebrate progress, and identify areas needing urgent attention (gaps).

Key Focus Areas Included:

– Localizing the SDGs into council programs  

– Data collection and reporting at the community level  

– Promoting inclusive planning and service delivery  

– Strengthening partnerships for sustainable development

Stakeholders from civil society, government agencies, and community groups shared insights and contributed to drafting the Council’s first VLR report.

The initiative reaffirms the City of Masvingo’s commitment to sustainable urban development and empowering communities through data-driven decision-making.

The City of Masvingo has commenced a critical Service Delivery Charter Review exercise aimed at strengthening Council’s commitment to accountable, transparent, and stakeholder-focused governance.

The exercise brings together councillors, key Council officials, community representatives, and stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of the current charter and propose updates that reflect emerging service delivery needs and national standards.

This review allows for alignment of service commitments with practical realities, stakeholder expectations, and the Council performance management framework.

Review Focus Areas:

– Evaluation of current service standards and delivery timelines  

– Identification of service gaps and bottlenecks  

– Integration of stakeholder feedback and complaint mechanisms  

– Alignment with national minimum service delivery standards  

– Development of action plans for implementation and monitoring.

The updated charter is expected to improve communication between Council and its stakeholders to ensure service quality, and enhance public trust.

The review process is scheduled to conclude with a public validation session to ensure inclusivity and community ownership.

The City of Masvingo has embarked on the construction of a modern public swimming pool in Runyararo Suburb as part of its efforts to enhance recreational infrastructure and promote community wellness. 

The facility, located in Runyararo, is designed to serve residents of all ages and support local sports development.

Once completed, the pool will feature training lanes, children’s play zones, changing rooms, and shaded seating areas, making it suitable for leisure, swimming lessons, and competitive events.

The project is a major step in promoting health, youth engagement, and social inclusion, aligning with the Council’s mission for vibrant, well-serviced communities.

The development is more than just construction of a pool but investment in healthcare of communities. 

Construction is expected to be completed before the simmer season, with opening festivities planned to welcome the public.

The City of Masvingo’s Runyararo Clinic has received a donation of medical equipment worth US$15 000 from Kernen City – Germany to boost health care service delivery in the city.

The donation was channeled towards procurement of a heavy duty Autoclave machine,  6. 5 KV solar system and 10 000 litres tank for water reservoir.

His Worship, the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe received the donation and applauded the twinning arrangement between City of Masvingo and Kernen City which dates back from 1985.

The Mayor also received a heavy duty washing machine and a heavy duty dryer which was also donated by Kernen City earlier.

Through this relationship, City of Masvingo  managed to construct Runyararo Clinic, Alpha Cottages with funds donated from Kernen City.

Present during the handover ceremony were representative of Kernen City – (Germany), Middlesbrough City – (UK) virtually,Councillors, management and health services staff.

Today His Worship, the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe handed over uniforms and stationery to the 14 students who were awarded City of Masvingo scholarship grant.

The students on a full scholarship programme were drawn from both Council and government schools.

City of Masvingo has started the construction of a brand-new truck-stop located a few meters from Exor shopping mall along Beitbridge highway. 

The first phase of the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of April, will provide a much-needed rest stop and service facility for truckers and travelers alike.

The truck-stop, which will be operated by Council will feature:

– More than 80 parking spaces for haulage trucks 

– Mini retail outlet

– Offices

– Eatery 

– Spares Hardware marts

– Shower and laundry facilities

– Car wash

As a local authority, we are thrilled to bring this project to fruition.

The goal is to provide a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for truckers and travelers to rest and recharge.

The construction project is expected to create 100 jobs and stimulate local economic growth. 

The truck-stop will be built with sustainability in mind, incorporating energy-efficient systems and environmentally friendly materials wherever possible.

Today, the City Council resolved to approve the 2025 proposed budget of US$35,2 million under the budget theme, ‘Improving Service Delivery for Sustainable Socio- economic development’.

The Council began this process with the through ward-specific meetings and the annual city-wide budget consultation meetings.

Throughout this month – long process, Council heard from wards a desire to develop a budget that responds to the growing needs of the city. 

The budget includes wins across city departments and historic investments in local governance. In a challenging 2024 budgeting season,  Council strove to prioritize key issues towards improving service delivery. 

1. Construction of Rujeko Secondary Block 7&8.

2. Purchase of a refuse truck, CIT vehicle and a tow away vehicle. 

3. Upgrade of sewer system.

4. Improvement in water supply from provision of water to residential areas 6 hours per day as per the service delivery charter to 8hours a day.

5. Construction of Martenity wing at North West medical clinic and a running tender for the acquisition of an ambulance.

6. Urban renewal project, that is refurbishment of hostels (8) units in Mucheke.

7. Beautification of the city through establishment of parks improving the aesthetics of the city. 

8. Road maintenance and construction. 

9. Completion of the General Valuation Roll Process.

10. Master plan review.

11. Submission of Audited Statements. 

12. Performance measurement whereby the Town Clerk was awarded the Best Town Clerk, under the Urban Local Authorities Category by His Excellency,  President E.D Mnangagwa  for 2023.

13. Staffing and service delivery  job evaluation exercise. 

14. ERP Usage and digitisation, introduction of Wezhira the Parker and e-musika among others.

15. Citizen participation especially in Council budgeting processes.

16. Strategic partnerships through twinning of cities, GIZ in good governance in local authorities,  ROCKBlue in WASH services and International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities.

17. Local Economic Development Plan initiative.

2025 budget priorities were allocated by programs.  Water, sanitation and hygine and was allocated 55%, governance and administration was allocated 19%, social services was allocated 16%, roads 7% and public safety and security services 4%.

In allocating funding towards capital expenditure for 2025, priority was was given to ongoing projects to ensure successful completion. Major capital expenditure projects in this budget are, 

1. Mucheke Trunk Sewer (1.2km) – US$ 400,000

2. Bushmead Waterworks Solar Plant    – US$ 5, 500,000

3. Water Augmentation (Survey, Designs, servitude acquisition)  – US$ 5, 000, 000.

4. Rujeko D residential stands servicing  – US$ 1, 050,000.

5. Morningside low density stands – US$ 800, 000.

6. Westview Industrial Stands servicing  – US$ 550,000

7. Runyararo West commercial stands servicing  -US$ 200,000.

8. Public lighting  – US$ 100,000.

9. Chesvingo Swimming Pool- US$ 50,000.

10. Runyararo Clinic Martenity  – US$ 50, 000.

11. Mucheke Bus Terminus Refurbishment  – US$ 50,174.

12. Truck Stop – US$ 80,000.

13. Mucheke Stadium Renovation (Phase 1) – US$80,000.

14. Infectious Disease Hospital up to slab – US$ 50,000.

15. Water meters and telemetering equipment- US$ 260,000.

16. Landfill equipment  – US$ 400,000.

17. Grader – US$ 150,395.

18. Excavator  – US$ 140,000.

19. Ambulance  – US$ 60,000.

20. Water and sewer pumping equipment  – US$ 165,000.

This stakeholder-centred budget was formulated after edequate consultations with the thrust to ensure sustainable service delivery.

To learn more about Council’s budgeting process go to www.masvingocity.org.zw

In promoting the importance of sanitation and hygiene practices,  Nemchem, a social brand that makes innovative and affordable toilet cleaning solutions has donated a consignment of bio-treatment liquids to City of Masvingo’s Health Services Department to be used in the city’s public toilets.

The aim of this initiative is to enhance sanitation in the city dovetailing with the Sustainable Development Goal 6 – access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and ending open defalcation. 

The donation from Nemchem was delivered to the Director Health Services, Ms. Suzanne Hazel Madamombe. 

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ms. Madamombe, said ‘sanitation and hygiene is one of the pillars of the city’s development. With our partners, we shall continue to make efforts to discourage unsanitary practices and encourage hygiene practices like proper use of public toilets’.

During the launch, demonstrations on functions of the products in cleaning ablutions was made to the janitors.

City Health Services Department is committed to supporting the government of Zimbabwe’s plans and efforts being made to achieve the sustainable development goals, for the improvement of the lives and well being of every person.