The Cabinet in Zimbabwe has announced that about 48 farms are going to be acquired to enable the development of the new city at Mount Hampden in Harare, close to the New Parliament building.
This comes following the approval of the Master Plan for the New City at Mt Hampden; the Implementation Model, Organisational Structure, and key appointments have since been made for the Development and Management of the New City.
Addressing the media, Minister of Information Zhemu Soda said the preliminary amount of compensation for the the acquired land is about US$75 million.
‘’A total of 48 farms with an estimated extent of 15 301.94 hectares were identified for the establishment of the new city, and 33 parent farms have been acquired so far. The estimated preliminary compensation value was set at US$ 75 616 403.10 for the 254 properties, with 6 properties having been compensated so far. Relocation of other affected property owners and land reform beneficiaries is yet to commence pending compensation payment.
‘’Construction of the New Parliament and related support infrastructure and civil works have been completed. The Presidential Villas and Conference facilities are scheduled for completion by end of June 2026.
‘’Access roads around the New Parliament were completed, with title processing for the development of the Zimbabwe Cyber City underway.
‘’Going forward, Cabinet directed appointments for the New City Board to be formally communicated to the members concerned, with a budget intended to operationalize the New City Administration including the Secretariat.
‘’The Ministry of Lands and Rural Development should complete the gazetting of all the farms intended for developing the New City as well as establishing the total compensation value, including the relocation of the affected farmers.