Zimbabwe has started paying more than 300 farmers who lost land near Mt Hampden. Five farmers have already received full payment, and everyone else can expect to receive money soon. These farmers came from two nearby provinces and controlled 47 different farms covering 15,500 hectares. When builders finish the brand new city, this huge area will become home to 1.5 million people. The government created fair rules about who deserves what amount based on their previous rights to the land.
Officials looked at each case differently depending on the paperwork. People with title deeds received payment for both land value and improvements they made. Those who settled during Land Reform only got money for buildings and other changes they added to the property. The money people first came from money set aside last August when Zimbabwe hosted a big SADC meeting nearby. Professor Jiri from the Agriculture Ministry explained they only need to finish talks with a small group of remaining farmers about final payment amounts.
The land already belongs to the Local Government Ministry, according to Dr. Mushamba. Farmers received letters years ago saying they must leave, and construction started right after that. About 300 families still need help moving to different places. A team from three different ministries works together on this problem. The government officially approved plans for this city back in December 2018, and building the new Parliament pushed everything else forward faster.
This massive project will cover 15,500 hectares and cost billions of dollars. It should fix crowding problems in downtown Harare. Three local councils will run different parts of the city together. The name remains secret, but officials promise it will honor something important from Zimbabwean culture. Builders plan four main stages over ten years to complete everything properly. Each phase needs different types of money from various sources.
The first two-year phase focuses on basic roads and services paid by tax money and business donations. Next comes more infrastructure through partnerships and loans. Years five through ten bring actual homes, shops, and factories using foreign investment and special credit deals. The final stage continues these developments with private money helping government efforts. A rich businessman from Dubai has already started building a $500 million cyber city in the area. Mr. Shaji Ul Mulk leads this part of the larger development with his company, Mulk International Group.
Officials looked at each case differently depending on the paperwork. People with title deeds received payment for both land value and improvements they made. Those who settled during Land Reform only got money for buildings and other changes they added to the property. The money people first came from money set aside last August when Zimbabwe hosted a big SADC meeting nearby. Professor Jiri from the Agriculture Ministry explained they only need to finish talks with a small group of remaining farmers about final payment amounts.
The land already belongs to the Local Government Ministry, according to Dr. Mushamba. Farmers received letters years ago saying they must leave, and construction started right after that. About 300 families still need help moving to different places. A team from three different ministries works together on this problem. The government officially approved plans for this city back in December 2018, and building the new Parliament pushed everything else forward faster.
This massive project will cover 15,500 hectares and cost billions of dollars. It should fix crowding problems in downtown Harare. Three local councils will run different parts of the city together. The name remains secret, but officials promise it will honor something important from Zimbabwean culture. Builders plan four main stages over ten years to complete everything properly. Each phase needs different types of money from various sources.
The first two-year phase focuses on basic roads and services paid by tax money and business donations. Next comes more infrastructure through partnerships and loans. Years five through ten bring actual homes, shops, and factories using foreign investment and special credit deals. The final stage continues these developments with private money helping government efforts. A rich businessman from Dubai has already started building a $500 million cyber city in the area. Mr. Shaji Ul Mulk leads this part of the larger development with his company, Mulk International Group.
