THE Chiwengas have embarked on development projects in Insiza district, Matabeleland South province, which involves construction of a shopping mall, drilling of boreholes and renovating schools, a move that has been hailed by the community as their lifeline.
Ward 3 councillor Similo Khumalo on Tuesday confirmed the develpment to Southern Eye.
Khumalo said they were happy about the developments being carried out by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife Miniyothabo, which they said were aimed at creating employment in their area.
“They are constructing a mall at Silalatshani business centre. We have seen some locals being employed there,” Khumalo said.
“The construction started a few months ago and we are hopeful that this will bring down prices of commodities. He further promised to rehabilitate roads here which are in bad condition.”
She said the second family had drilled a borehole at Singwango Primary School and opened a nutritional garden and renovated schools in wards 5 and 6.
“At Ntunte Primary School located in ward 6, he [Chiwenga] constructed a laboratory and did the same at another school in ward 5. He has promised to intervene in problems affecting farmers at Silalatshani irrigation scheme,” Khumalo said.
According to Khumalo, Silalatshani irrigation is facing a water crisis, with farmers receiving exorbitant water bills from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority.