Residents of Hwange in Matabeleland North Province have petitioned Parliament, calling for the incorporation of concession areas currently under private authorities into the Hwange Local Board (HLB), arguing that the prevailing dual-administration system is hampering development and service delivery in the mining town. The petition, presented to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, highlights concerns over the inefficiencies caused by the fragmented governance model, where key areas fall under the control of entities such as Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL), the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), and the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA).
Speaking during a public hearing on Tuesday, Mr Graciano Kapfunde, a local resident, urged the committee to ensure that all Hwange residents can benefit equally from government programmes such as devolution and Constituency Development Funds (CDF). “All we want is for us to benefit from devolution and CDF funds. Incorporation will be in the best interests of Hwange residents,” he said, reflecting the sentiments of many who believe the current setup is marginalising parts of the town.
However, representatives from the concession-holding entities expressed reservations, with Hwange Colliery Company’s Administrator Mr Munashe Shava emphasizing the need for clarity on the future of investments made in the area. “What we are concerned about is that there is no clear position as to what will happen to the properties we have invested in. If there is a way to compensate us then incorporation will not be a problem,” he said. Echoing similar concerns, NRZ’s Chief Finance Officer Mr Patrick Mwashita noted, “Incorporation is not bad but we want to be assured that we do not lose control of our land which is meant for expansion.”
Chairperson of the committee, Honourable Joseph Tshuma, called for inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders to reach a solution that benefits Hwange residents. He pointed out that of the 15 wards in Hwange Central Constituency, only five under the Hwange Local Board currently receive funds from central government. “The other 10 can only benefit if they are under the same administration. They all have to come together and come up with a solution that benefits the people,” he said.
The ongoing dual system, where parts of the town including Empumalanga, Boabab, and Baghdad suburbs are governed by the Hwange Local Board, while the rest fall under the jurisdiction of private companies, has created an uneven development trajectory. This stands in contradiction to Chapter 14 of the Zimbabwean Constitution, which mandates equitable development and service delivery through devolved governance structures. The residents’ call for incorporation aims to harmonise administration, unlock funding opportunities, and ensure that all communities within Hwange enjoy equal access to services and development opportunities.
