New Minister talks tough

Leroy Dzenga

THE Zimbabwe Government recently created a new ministry meant to tackle the country’s housing deficit and the man in charge is already showing an appetite to deliver decent housing.

In his maiden interview with media soon after being sworn in, the new National Housing and Social Amenities Minister, Daniel Garwe said he will be looking into new settlements and their suitability.

“We have settlements where people were given places to stay without basics like water, power and roads, that has to stop. We need to make sure there is dignified housing for our people,” Minister Garwe said.

New underserviced settlements on the peripheries of the capital are on his radar.

“We cannot be having pit latrines and shallow wells in urban areas. We will be relooking the national housing policy, currently under the Ministry of Local Government and see how we can improve it,” Minister Garwe said.

He added; “The President promised decent houses to people and I am here to ensure that the promise is delivered. That is part of my mandate, housing is a human right and as a man of over 30 years in the construction industry, I will see to it that it happens.”

The new ministry is part of the recent cabinet reshuffle by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

It also saw the promotion of former ICT Deputy Minister Jenfan Muswere into a full cabinet minister under the same portfolio.