Source: Whitecliffe regularisation gains momentum under user‑pay plan – herald
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
Progress towards the regularisation of the Whitecliffe Farm settlement remains on course, following Cabinet’s approval of the user‑pay principle, with no changes to arrangements agreed under the scheme, landowners have said.
Eddies Pfugari Properties confirmed that developments on the ground were positive and inclusive, with Government continuing to play a moderating role to ensure fairness and transparency.
In an interview, Eddies Pfugari Properties director, Mr Edward Nyanyiwa (Jnr), said Cabinet had already resolved that residents occupying stands would compensate the developer, while Government oversees the process.
“The issue to do with Whitecliffe, everything is progressing well. If you recall from last year, there was a Cabinet resolution approving the user‑pay principle. Just to break it down in simple terms, it says residents who are occupying the stands pay for where they are occupying to the developer.”
He said engagements with Government had clarified that the State’s role was to facilitate the process and safeguard equity.
“It is our understanding, through engagements and consultations with Government, that Government is there to facilitate as a moderator so that when we have the subdivision committee and residents are compensating or paying for their stands to the developer, everything is done fairly and above board.”
Mr Nyanyiwa (Jnr) stressed that the Cabinet‑approved position remained unchanged, with residents paying the developer under Government oversight.
“So, the truth of the matter is that residents are the ones who are going to pay the developer and Cabinet has seen it, through our visionary leader, President Mnangagwa, and his visionary Cabinet in the Second Republic, that we need to regularise settlements.
In line with that vision, it is in the best interest of everyone that we expedite the processes of regularising Whitecliffe Farm. As a company, through engagements with various stakeholders and residents’ participation, everything is progressing well.”
The company has already submitted a subdivision permit application and a detailed work plan to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
Mr Nyanyiwa expressed hope that the permit would be approved within the next few weeks.
“The good news is that this permit is going to incorporate all households in Whitecliffe Farm. People should not fear that where they are occupying will be reduced, except for a few exceptional cases involving structures built across road reserves.
It’s only one or two cases where someone was not originally settled there by Government but built across a road. Because there are few, we are going to put them on designated residential stands within the vicinity of Whitecliffe.
Everyone who stays in Whitecliffe is going to be a beneficiary.”
He urged residents to support the process, commending Government’s commitment to housing rights.
“We encourage them to join the motion, to join the moving train.
“We are very happy with Government efforts to ensure the right to shelter and proper housing is addressed.”
On stakeholder engagement, Mr Nyanyiwa said the local authority (Zvimba Rural District) remained involved, although the process was being handled at a higher planning level to ensure efficiency.
“Council is a stakeholder as the local authority, but this one is being dealt with at a higher level. We are dealing with the Spatial Planning department under the Ministry of Local Government for the subdivision permit and working hand in hand with the Ministry of Housing so that the issue is resolved amicably.”
He added that the submitted proposal had been welcomed for its inclusive approach.
“We have submitted a subdivision permit proposal incorporating each and every household, which stakeholders are applauding because it leaves no one behind in Whitecliffe. People are eager for the process because they want ownership of where they are settled. They have built very nice houses; to demolish them would be hectic and inhumane.”
Mr Nyanyiwa expressed optimism that the user‑pay model would provide a lasting solution to the long‑standing land dispute.
“Let us regularise Whitecliffe. Let us have a subdivision permit. Let people pay for the stands they are occupying at a very fair price, with Government moderating between residents and us as landowners. We welcome that development.”
The development is expected to benefit more than 11 000 households, including beneficiaries of the Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle Programme who were settled by Government.
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