New Joint Committee Launched to Transform Caledonia Township into Upmarket Hub

The Zimbabwean government has officially established the Ruwa-Harare-Goromonzi Joint Committee to spearhead the development of Caledonia Township into a thriving upmarket urban settlement, as detailed in Statutory Instrument 222 of 2021.

Gazetted on August 27, 2021, the notice leverages section 83 of the Rural District Councils Act [Chapter 29:13] and section 224 of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15], marking a significant step toward regional urban planning.

The committee, a legally recognized body corporate with the authority to sue and be sued, was born from collaborative resolutions: Ruwa Local Town Board (Resolution OC104/10/20, October 12, 2020), Goromonzi Rural District Council (Resolution COU 139/10/6,10, October 22, 2020), and the City of Harare (1897th Ordinary Council Minutes, October 8, 2020).

This tripartite agreement targets Caledonia, a township in the Goromonzi district, for a comprehensive urban upgrade.

Each council—Ruwa, Harare, and Goromonzi—will appoint three representatives from their councillor ranks, with Goromonzi permitted to include additional institutional members.

The committee will elect its chairperson at its inaugural meeting, with the role rotating annually among the three parties and carrying a casting vote to resolve deadlocks. Members will serve terms aligned with their council mandates under the respective acts.

Endowed with powers akin to those in the Second and Third Schedules of the Urban Councils Act, the committee will oversee infrastructure, housing, and service delivery to elevate Caledonia’s status.

Costs, including negotiation, preparation, and implementation expenses, will be equally shared among the councils, ensuring a balanced financial commitment.

Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. Daniel Garwe, hailed the initiative as a milestone.

“This collaboration heralds a new era of sustainable urban growth, transforming Caledonia into a model settlement.”

The agreement, binding on the parties’ successors under Zimbabwean law, overrides previous arrangements and promises long-term regional cooperation. With this strategic alliance, Caledonia is poised for a revitalised future as a beacon of urban development.