City of Masvingo Truck Stop Construction Nears Completion

The construction of the City of Masvingo’s truck stop has reached an advanced stage, with most of the major works now completed as the project moves towards finalisation.

Key construction milestones achieved include the completion of brickwork, plumbing, electrical connection, and solar installation, as well as the ceiling and internal painting, marking significant progress in the development of the facility.

With the main structural and internal works now finished, efforts are currently focused on clearing the surrounding land, which is underway to prepare the site for the final stages of the project.

Once completed, the truck stop is expected to enhance service delivery to transport operators and motorists while supporting orderly parking and improved infrastructure within the city.

The facility will also contribute to the broader economic activity in Masvingo, providing a dedicated and well-serviced space for long-distance truck drivers.

The development forms part of ongoing infrastructure initiatives by the City of Masvingo aimed at improving urban services and strengthening the city’s capacity to support trade, logistics, and economic growth.

The City of Masvingo successfully hosted a vibrant Wellness Day event aimed at promoting health and well-being among residents, bringing together various organisations and community members in a powerful demonstration of unity and shared responsibility for public health.

The primary goal of the wellness day was to promote health and wellness among the people of Masvingo.

However, beyond encouraging residents to prioritise their physical well-being, the event also sought to foster a strong sense of community and collaboration among local organisations. It provided a dynamic platform for networking, exchanging ideas and sharing best practices on health promotion and workplace wellness initiatives.

The event placed significant emphasis on raising awareness about lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart conditions, which continue to affect many communities. Mental health was also a key focus area, with stakeholders highlighting the importance of early intervention, open dialogue and access to psychosocial support services.

Residents were encouraged to adopt healthy habits and embrace active living through exercise sessions, health screenings and educational discussions.

The atmosphere was energetic and inclusive, reflecting the City’s commitment to building a healthier and more resilient community.

A wide range of organisations participated in the Wellness Day, showcasing a strong spirit of partnership. These included Masvingo Teachers College, Masvingo Polytechnic College, Public Service representatives, Friendship Bench, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), TelOne, Municipal Council of Masvingo (MCC), Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, and members of the wider community.

Through collaborative engagement and shared commitment, the wellness day underscored the importance of collective action in addressing both physical and mental health challenges.

City of Masvingo reasseted dedication to supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents and strengthen partnerships across sectors.

The event stands as a testament to what can be achieved when institutions and communities work together toward a common goal, a healthier, more informed and more connected Masvingo.

The City of Masvingo has taken a significant step towards strengthening transparency and accountability after councillors and senior officials signed Integrity Pledges in the presence of ZAAC compliance officials and the Zimbabwe Republic Police commissioning officer in line with Chapter 12 of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which focuses on governance, peace and security.

The signing ceremony, held at the Civic Centre, reaffirmed the local authority’s commitment to upholding ethical standards, promoting good governance and enhancing public trust in council operations.

The Integrity Pledges were designed to enhance councillors’ and officials’ understanding of the council’s risk matrix and action plan, clearly outlining their responsibilities in preventing corruption and maladministration. Through this initiative, council leadership is expected to proactively identify institutional risks, implement mitigation measures and ensure adherence to established regulations and policies.

Speaking during the event, the City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa emphasized that the move is aligned with the broader national vision of building accountable public institutions that safeguard peace, security and sustainable development.

The pledge signing also seeks to strengthen institutional commitment to integrity and ethical conduct within council operations. By formally committing themselves, councillors and management have undertaken to report corrupt activities, avoid conflicts of interest and execute their duties with professionalism and impartiality.

This development comes at a time when public institutions across Zimbabwe are being called upon to reinforce governance systems that enhance service delivery and protect public resources.

By formalising integrity standards through the signing of the pledges, the City of Masvingo has set a clear tone for responsible leadership. The pledges commit office bearers to uphold regulations and champion ethical leadership as they carry out their day-to-day duties. This initiative is expected to foster a culture of accountability, improve internal controls and ultimately strengthen residents’ confidence in council operations.

As the city continues to implement its development agenda, the Integrity Pledges mark a decisive step toward building a transparent, ethical and service-oriented local authority anchored on the principles of NDS2 Chapter 12.

The longstanding twinning relationship between the City of Masvingo and Germany’s Kernen im Remstal was further strengthened this week as a delegation from the Kernen–Masvingo Association paid a courtesy visit to Masvingo.

The delegation was led by the Association’s Chairperson, Christian Fleischer, accompanied by Astrid Fleischer, Kerstin Hemker, and Reinhard Hemker.

The visit focused on touring key facilities and institutions that have benefited from the partnership’s support over the years.

One of the highlights of the visit was a tour of Runyararo Clinic, whose construction was made possible through the generous support of the Kernen–Masvingo partnership. The clinic has significantly improved access to primary health care services for residents in the Runyararo suburb and surrounding communities.

The delegation also visited Mucheke Clinic, where they inspected the autoclave machine donated through the association. The equipment has enhanced infection control and sterilization of medical instruments, contributing to improved service delivery standards at the health facility.

In addition, the team reviewed the ambulances donated under the twinning arrangement. The ambulances have strengthened the City’s emergency response capacity, ensuring quicker and more reliable patient transfers to health institutions.

Beyond health infrastructure, the delegation visited several welfare institutions that have received assistance from the association.

At Alpha Cottages, the visitors engaged with children and staff, appreciating the impact of donations that have improved living conditions and supported child welfare programs.

The team also toured Mucheke Old People’s Home and Alfred Walter Home, where donations have gone towards improving the quality of life for elderly residents. The delegation interacted with beneficiaries and administrators, witnessing first-hand how the partnership continues to bring dignity and comfort to vulnerable members of the community.

Speaking during the visit, Christian Fleischer expressed satisfaction with the progress made and reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to sustaining and deepening cooperation with Masvingo. He emphasized that the partnership is built not only on development projects but also on friendship, solidarity, and shared humanity.

Masvingo – Kernen Association chairperson Mr Pascal Mudzikisi, commended the Kernen–Masvingo Association for its unwavering support, noting that the collaboration has played a pivotal role in enhancing health services and social welfare programmes within the city.

The courtesy visit reaffirmed the strength of the twinning arrangement, which continues to transform lives through practical support and people-to-people exchanges.

As the partnership evolves, both Kernen and Masvingo remain committed to fostering sustainable development and strengthening international cooperation for the benefit of their communities.

Today the City of Masvingo Gender Desk coordinated an awareness campaign on missing children cases aimed at educating the community on child safety measures and promoting heightened community vigilance.

The campaign brought together key stakeholders including MOPSE, BHASO, MY AGE AFRICA, VFU, MWACSMED, MARCFT, ZACH, Ministry of Youth, EFZ, BOMEFF, SGDZT, CBAP, NCDPZ, MOHCC, ZGC, ARC, FST, SFC, WCOZ, CWGH, ZNFPC, NAC URBAN, ZNNP+ to raise awareness on the increasing concerns surrounding missing children.

Through information dissemination and community engagement activities, residents were equipped with practical knowledge on preventing child disappearances and responding effectively in the event a child goes missing.

Key safety measures shared during the campaign included:

· Encouraging parents and guardians to closely monitor children’s movements.

· Teaching children not to engage with strangers or accept gifts from unknown individuals.

· Ensuring children know important contact details and safe places to seek help.

· Promoting immediate reporting of missing children to authorities.

· Suggesting neighbourhood watch initiatives to enhance community surveillance.

The Gender Desk emphasized that protecting children is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration between families, community members, and relevant authorities. Residents were urged to remain alert, report suspicious activities, and support efforts aimed at safeguarding children within their communities.

The awareness campaign reaffirmed the City’s commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for all children in Masvingo.

As part of our ongoing #FoodSafetyCampaign in Masvingo City, the Environmental Health Team is conducting a hygiene assessment blitz around city food.

The exercise is focusing on assessing hygiene standards, identifying potential contamination risks, and ensuring compliance with basic food safety practices.

As part of the inspection process, swabbing of work surfaces and food handlers was done around City food outlets the exercises is meant to strengthen food hygiene and improve manufacturing practices as a way to uphold public health prevention strategies in order to prevent food borne diseases.

City of Masvingo remains dedicated to promoting safe food handling practices through sustaining quality of life by safeguarding quality of food and water

The City of Masvingo has convened a 2026 Council Budget Implementation Planning Workshop aimed at strengthening service delivery, enhancing accountability, and ensuring effective execution of the approved 2026 budget.

The workshop brought together senior management, heads of departments, and key Stakeholder Budget Committee to align the implementation strategy with the Council’s strategic objectives and community priorities.

Speaking at the workshop, the Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa emphasized the importance of translating the approved budget into tangible development outcomes that directly benefit residents.

The session focused on fostering a results-oriented culture, improving coordination across departments, and ensuring that allocated resources are utilized efficiently and transparently.

Workshop was guided by the following key objectives:

1) To introduce the Stakeholder Budget Committee and outline its Terms of Reference, ensuring clarity on roles, responsibilities, and oversight mechanisms in the implementation process.

2) To prepare the 2026 Budget Implementation Plan/Matrix, detailing timelines, responsible departments, performance indicators, and monitoring frameworks to guide execution throughout the year.

3) To share and discuss the Mayor’s and Town Clerk’s 2026 Performance Contracts, reinforcing accountability, performance tracking, and alignment with Council priorities and national development goals.

The development of a comprehensive implementation matrix is expected to strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, enabling Council to track progress, address bottlenecks, and deliver projects within set timelines.

The City of Masvingo remains committed to prudent financial management, transparency, and inclusive governance as it works towards sustainable urban development and improved service delivery in 2026.

Today, His Worship, the Mayor Cllr. Aleck Tabe handed over hampers of baby layette to antenatal mothers, postnatal mothers, Christmas babies, and the first babies delivered at North West Medical Centre, in a heart-warming gesture funded through the 2025 Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund.

The handover ceremony, held at Mazorodze Maternity Clinic, was aimed at supporting maternal and child welfare while celebrating new life within the community. Beneficiaries included expectant mothers attending antenatal care, mothers who recently delivered, babies born on Christmas Day, as well as the first babies to be delivered at North West medical Centre.

Speaking during the event, His Worship, the Mayor said the initiative reflects the City’s commitment to promoting maternal health, supporting families, and sharing joy with residents during and after the festive season. The Mayor emphasized that the Christmas Cheer Fund was established to give back to vulnerable groups in the community and ensure that no one is left behind during moments of celebration.

“These hampers symbolise care, hope and shared responsibility as a city. We celebrate these new-borns as the future of our community and reaffirm our support to mothers during this important stage of life,” said the Mayor.

The baby layette hampers included essential items such as baby clothes, blankets and other necessities to assist mothers in caring for their new-borns. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the gesture, describing it as timely and uplifting, especially during the demanding early days of motherhood.

The 2025 Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund continues to play a key role in supporting social welfare initiatives across the city, reinforcing the values of compassion, inclusivity and community solidarity.

City of Masvingo in partnership with Mckingtorch Zimbabwe has introduced Masvingo Recycling Hub, an initiative aimed at strengthening sustainable waste management and promoting a circular economy.

This initiative aims to promote waste separation at source, strengthen recycling systems, create green jobs, and empower communities to actively participate in environmental stewardship.

This program was built on strong partnerships and recognised the critical role of residents, the private sector, informal waste collectors, educational institutions, and development partners in ensuring its success.

Council calls upon all households, businesses, and institutions to embrace responsible waste management practices, support recycling initiatives, and comply with municipal by-laws on environmental health and sanitation. This initiative also contributes to economic opportunities, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development.

Masvingo Recycling Hub is not just a project. It is a vision for the future of Masvingo city, a future where Masvingo is recognised as a model green city in Zimbabwe and a city where environmental responsibility, economic growth, and community wellbeing go hand in hand.

#Together, let us turn waste into wealth, challenges into opportunities, and vision into reality.

#Together, let us build a cleaner ,healthier, and more sustainable Masvingo

The City of Masvingo, in collaboration with Charles Austin Theatre, is holding a two-day drug and substance abuse awareness campaign aimed at educating and empowering school-going youths to make informed, healthy life choices.

The campaign brings together key stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), health personnel, educators, and community leaders, in a concerted effort to combat the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse among young people.

Central to the program are compelling testimonials from former drug addicts, who share real-life experiences on the dangers of substance abuse, its impact on health, education, family life, and future prospects. Their stories are intended to discourage youths from experimenting with drugs and to inspire those already affected to seek help and rehabilitation.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is conducting sensitisation sessions focusing on the legal implications of drug and substance abuse, trafficking, and possession, while health personnel are providing expert information on the physical, mental, and social consequences of drug use. Emphasis is also being placed on prevention, early intervention, and available support services for affected individuals.

Speaking at the event, organisers highlighted that the campaign seeks to promote positive values, responsible decision-making, and self-discipline among youths, while strengthening life skills such as resisting peer pressure and making informed choices.

The involvement of schools is critical, as young people are among the most vulnerable groups when it comes to drug and substance abuse. By engaging them early, the aim is to prevent experimentation and promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

Charles Austin Theatre has provided an interactive platform for dialogue and open discussions, allowing youths to actively participate and express their views on issues affecting them, making the campaign both educational and impactful.

The City of Masvingo reaffirmed its commitment to working with partners to safeguard the well-being of young people and to create a supportive environment that promotes health, safety, and positive social development.

The two-day campaign forms part of broader efforts by City of Masvingo and its partners to address social challenges affecting the community and to build a resilient, informed, and drug-free generation.