Welcome to City of Chegutu

City of Chegutu

CITY PROFILE :

CITY PROFILE :

BACKGROUND

Chegutu,lies 105 km from
Harare to Bulawayo
highway.
The main industrial base
comprise agriculture from
soroundingfarms and mining
in the peripheral area of
the the town.

There is a large textile manufacturing industry.
The poor economic performance of the municipality has resulted in high unemployment, poor health care delivery system and other associated hardships. The local authority has continued to provide basic services such as cleansing and waste management, sewerage reticulation, health to mention a few.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
The educational institutions comprise early learning centres, primary schools and secondary schools. There are no tertiary institutions in Chegutu. Secondary schools provide adult literacy classes but these are limited as indicated in the statistics.

The primary school enrolment ratio indicate that there were more females (43%) than males (38%) in the primary schools. However in secondary schools enrolment was skewed towards the males. The life expectancy at birth was as more or less the same for females and males in 1993 (63% and 62% respectively) but was in favor of females in 1998 ( 62% and 58% respectively): Under five mortality was in favour of males in 1993 (22% and 24% respectively). The gap in the under five mortality was insignificant.

There was a significant gap in the unemployment between the female and male population in 1993 with almost half of the females unemployed (8%) than males (14%) The situation improved somewhat in 1998 with 20% females unemployed and 22.8% males unemployed. On the political arena there were no women elected or nominated as Councilors in 1993. All councilors were males and the representation was 3 per a 10 000 population. In 1998 there was only one woman, constituting 0.2 per a 10 000 population and males 2.2 per I0 000 population. The females and male gaps are quite significant in the number of elected or nominated councilors at the local level. There is need for more female representation in local government.

There are very few reported crimes. The worst crime being committed in theft which has increased from 523 reported crimes in 1993 to 1310 in 1998. The increase in thefts is believed to have been attributed to the prevailing harsh economic environment, e.g. increase in unemployment.

There are no poverty figures at the municipal level although poverty is believed to have increase. The increase in poverty are due to dwindling jobs on the market, unemployment, escalating prices of basic goods depressed economy. There are poverty alleviation programs in place being run by government but they are not effective in reducing poverty within the municipality.

As previously reported there are no impediments, in women owning or inheriting land and housing access to mortgages etc..

Urban growth rate has decreased from 4.32% in 1993 to 3,5% in 1998

There has been an increase in the consumption of water from 120l/person in 1993 to 160l/person in 1998. This has been caused by the natural growth of the urban population. To reduce water consumption penalties have been introduced when consumption exceeds a normal allocation. Demand for water vis-a-vis supply is being managed effectively considering that there are no shortage experienced, thus if 'demand increases, supply increases correspondingly..

The median price of water has decreased from US$ 3.03 in 1993 to US$ 0.63 in 1998. This is however illusive as in Zimbabwe Dollar terms there has a slight increase from ZW$ 15.15 to ZW$ 15.75. The figures indicate that water is currently affordable to the population when the cost is expressed in US$

Air pollution problems are quite insignificant since the industrial base of the city is very small. It comprises only one Textile Company.

The percentage wastewater treated has decreased from 83% in 1993 to 68% in 1998.
The rest of the wastewater flows into septic tanks. All new housing properties in the low-density suburbs are on septic tanks.

Blockage of sewer lines particularly during the rainy season has created health problems. The town is long overdue for a conventional sewage purification plant since the pond system has no capacity to handle tile large volume of effluent.

The figures show no significant improvement in the quality of the service:, since the type of waste disposal is still the open dump method as opposed to sanitary land fill. There is a possibility of underground water pollution because the dump has not been lined with geo-membrane or lining using clay soil to prevent leachate from leaking out.

Burning of combustible material is contributing to air pollution.

Percentage employed males has increased in the informal sector between 1993 and 1998 from 55% to 60% respectively. Percentage employed females has remained steady at 30% .In the formal sector there were 21% employed men and women in 1993 as compared to 25% in 1998. The trend suggests growth in the informal sector. The formal sector is succumbing to the harsh economic environment.

Percentage of total unemployed men increased as follows from 13% in 1993 to 15 % in 1998. There was also an increase in unemployed women from 22% to 25% respectively. The employment opportunities have taken a nosedive. The impact of unemployment has resulted in increased crime rate, overcrowding and poor living conditions, pressure on Stream bank cultivation, failure to meet medical expenses. Measures taken to curb negative trends have been to promote the expansion of the informal sector.

In US dollars the figures shows an increase in the local government revenue, and expenditures (US$ 16028170 in 1993 and US$108260364 in 1998)
SHELTER
From 1992 the trend in the provision of housing shifted from the construction of houses by the local authority to inviting developers who have constructed houses for sale through the building societies.The present emphasis is in favour of ownership of houses which has increased from 38% in 1993 to 43% in 1998 .

Overcrowding in the high-density suburbs is quite common because the purchasing price for houses is beyond the reach of most households. There are no squatter settlements in Chegutu, instead there as illegal structures, erected at residential properties in the high-density suburbs.

The housing prices are far beyond the reach of the needy households as evidenced by the house price and rent to - income ratios.

Housing price to income ratio increased from 1.35 in 1993 to 3.37 in 1998. Housing rent to income ration decreased from 0.94 to 0.57 in 1993 and 1998 respectively. Houses are currently less affordable.

Evictions were on the increase from the period under study. 9 evictions in 1993 and 35 evicted in 1998. In the past six years 127 households were evicted. The increase in the number of evictions was attributed to failure or default to pay rentals. Land price to income ratio 1993 and 1998 was 0,02 and 1,87 respectively. Land prices are affordable though few are taking advantage of this due to low incomes. Currently the land is less expensive and affordable based on prices for 1993 and US$131.00 and 1998 US$64.20

There are currently no impediments to owning land or inheriting land. 'l'here are also no impediments to wornen owing land or taking mortgages. There is also no discrimination along racial lines to owing land.

Percentage of dwellings purchased on mortgage increased from 127 (4%) to 734 (13%) of the total housing estate. During the same period non-mortgage loans increased from 3175 to 6452 in 1993 and 1998 respectively. However people have access to loans depending on their level of income. To alleviate the housing shortage the city has been servicing land and selling it to developers.

Dwellings purchased that were covered by mortgages rose from 4% to, 13% in 1993 and 1998 respectively. Dwellings not covered by mortgage, slightly declined 96% to 87%. People had ready access to mortgages although building societies had difficulties meeting demand.

As previously reported there are no squatter or informal settlements in Chegutu, All households were connected to water during the period 1993 and 1998. House hold connections to sewerage were 17% in 1993 and 68% in 1998. The remaining households were connected to septic tanks. All households had ready access to adequate water between 1993 and 1998. There are no informal settlements in Chegutu and therefore there were no connections for water, sewerage ,electricity, and telephones to the informal settlements.

Households connected to sewerage, was 17% in 1993 and 68% in 1998 following the expansion of the housing project. However households connected to electricity slightly declined from 10% to 9%, telephone connections had a slight decline from 40 to 3%. The decline in the number of connections could be attributed to economic hardships.

Overall, access to basic services was satisfactory.

]n 1993 all Suburbs were close to the commercial and industrial areas as well as other institutions. The majority of the people walk or cycle to work. Only 15 % use private vehicles to work.

In 1998, there were suburbs which developed further away from the central business district and people resorted to using commuting by bus to and from work. The buses are adequate to cater for the commuters in the town. The introduction of' the commuter buses resulted in the decline of the pedestrian population from 55% to 30% of the total workforce.
Author:
Stewart Madzorera
Environmental Health Officer
Chegutu Municipality
Chegutu Municipality
E-mail:icleicheg@zol.co.zw
Fax:(263-053) 2668
Web

BACKGROUND

There is a large textile manufacturing industry. The poor economic performance of the municipality has resulted in high unemployment, poor health care delivery system and other associated hardships. The local authority has continued to provide basic services such as cleansing and waste management, sewerage reticulation, health to mention a few.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT The educational institutions comprise early learning centres, primary schools and secondary schools. There are no tertiary institutions in Chegutu. Secondary schools provide adult literacy classes but these are limited as indicated in the statistics. The primary school enrolment ratio indicate that there were more females (43%) than males (38%) in the primary schools. However in secondary schools enrolment was skewed towards the males. The life expectancy at birth was as more or less the same for females and males in 1993 (63% and 62% respectively) but was in favor of females in 1998 ( 62% and 58% respectively): Under five mortality was in favour of males in 1993 (22% and 24% respectively). The gap in the under five mortality was insignificant. There was a significant gap in the unemployment between the female and male population in 1993 with almost half of the females unemployed (8%) than males (14%) The situation improved somewhat in 1998 with 20% females unemployed and 22.8% males unemployed. On the political arena there were no women elected or nominated as Councilors in 1993. All councilors were males and the representation was 3 per a 10 000 population. In 1998 there was only one woman, constituting 0.2 per a 10 000 population and males 2.2 per I0 000 population. The females and male gaps are quite significant in the number of elected or nominated councilors at the local level. There is need for more female representation in local government. There are very few reported crimes. The worst crime being committed in theft which has increased from 523 reported crimes in 1993 to 1310 in 1998. The increase in thefts is believed to have been attributed to the prevailing harsh economic environment, e.g. increase in unemployment. There are no poverty figures at the municipal level although poverty is believed to have increase. The increase in poverty are due to dwindling jobs on the market, unemployment, escalating prices of basic goods depressed economy. There are poverty alleviation programs in place being run by government but they are not effective in reducing poverty within the municipality. As previously reported there are no impediments, in women owning or inheriting land and housing access to mortgages etc.. Urban growth rate has decreased from 4.32% in 1993 to 3,5% in 1998 There has been an increase in the consumption of water from 120l/person in 1993 to 160l/person in 1998. This has been caused by the natural growth of the urban population. To reduce water consumption penalties have been introduced when consumption exceeds a normal allocation. Demand for water vis-a-vis supply is being managed effectively considering that there are no shortage experienced, thus if 'demand increases, supply increases correspondingly.. The median price of water has decreased from US$ 3.03 in 1993 to US$ 0.63 in 1998. This is however illusive as in Zimbabwe Dollar terms there has a slight increase from ZW$ 15.15 to ZW$ 15.75. The figures indicate that water is currently affordable to the population when the cost is expressed in US$ Air pollution problems are quite insignificant since the industrial base of the city is very small. It comprises only one Textile Company. The percentage wastewater treated has decreased from 83% in 1993 to 68% in 1998. The rest of the wastewater flows into septic tanks. All new housing properties in the low-density suburbs are on septic tanks. Blockage of sewer lines particularly during the rainy season has created health problems. The town is long overdue for a conventional sewage purification plant since the pond system has no capacity to handle tile large volume of effluent. The figures show no significant improvement in the quality of the service:, since the type of waste disposal is still the open dump method as opposed to sanitary land fill. There is a possibility of underground water pollution because the dump has not been lined with geo-membrane or lining using clay soil to prevent leachate from leaking out. Burning of combustible material is contributing to air pollution. Percentage employed males has increased in the informal sector between 1993 and 1998 from 55% to 60% respectively. Percentage employed females has remained steady at 30% .In the formal sector there were 21% employed men and women in 1993 as compared to 25% in 1998. The trend suggests growth in the informal sector. The formal sector is succumbing to the harsh economic environment. Percentage of total unemployed men increased as follows from 13% in 1993 to 15 % in 1998. There was also an increase in unemployed women from 22% to 25% respectively. The employment opportunities have taken a nosedive. The impact of unemployment has resulted in increased crime rate, overcrowding and poor living conditions, pressure on Stream bank cultivation, failure to meet medical expenses. Measures taken to curb negative trends have been to promote the expansion of the informal sector. In US dollars the figures shows an increase in the local government revenue, and expenditures (US$ 16028170 in 1993 and US$108260364 in 1998) SHELTER From 1992 the trend in the provision of housing shifted from the construction of houses by the local authority to inviting developers who have constructed houses for sale through the building societies.The present emphasis is in favour of ownership of houses which has increased from 38% in 1993 to 43% in 1998 . Overcrowding in the high-density suburbs is quite common because the purchasing price for houses is beyond the reach of most households. There are no squatter settlements in Chegutu, instead there as illegal structures, erected at residential properties in the high-density suburbs. The housing prices are far beyond the reach of the needy households as evidenced by the house price and rent to - income ratios. Housing price to income ratio increased from 1.35 in 1993 to 3.37 in 1998. Housing rent to income ration decreased from 0.94 to 0.57 in 1993 and 1998 respectively. Houses are currently less affordable. Evictions were on the increase from the period under study. 9 evictions in 1993 and 35 evicted in 1998. In the past six years 127 households were evicted. The increase in the number of evictions was attributed to failure or default to pay rentals. Land price to income ratio 1993 and 1998 was 0,02 and 1,87 respectively. Land prices are affordable though few are taking advantage of this due to low incomes. Currently the land is less expensive and affordable based on prices for 1993 and US$131.00 and 1998 US$64.20 There are currently no impediments to owning land or inheriting land. 'l'here are also no impediments to wornen owing land or taking mortgages. There is also no discrimination along racial lines to owing land. Percentage of dwellings purchased on mortgage increased from 127 (4%) to 734 (13%) of the total housing estate. During the same period non-mortgage loans increased from 3175 to 6452 in 1993 and 1998 respectively. However people have access to loans depending on their level of income. To alleviate the housing shortage the city has been servicing land and selling it to developers. Dwellings purchased that were covered by mortgages rose from 4% to, 13% in 1993 and 1998 respectively. Dwellings not covered by mortgage, slightly declined 96% to 87%. People had ready access to mortgages although building societies had difficulties meeting demand. As previously reported there are no squatter or informal settlements in Chegutu, All households were connected to water during the period 1993 and 1998. House hold connections to sewerage were 17% in 1993 and 68% in 1998. The remaining households were connected to septic tanks. All households had ready access to adequate water between 1993 and 1998. There are no informal settlements in Chegutu and therefore there were no connections for water, sewerage ,electricity, and telephones to the informal settlements. Households connected to sewerage, was 17% in 1993 and 68% in 1998 following the expansion of the housing project. However households connected to electricity slightly declined from 10% to 9%, telephone connections had a slight decline from 40 to 3%. The decline in the number of connections could be attributed to economic hardships. Overall, access to basic services was satisfactory. ]n 1993 all Suburbs were close to the commercial and industrial areas as well as other institutions. The majority of the people walk or cycle to work. Only 15 % use private vehicles to work. In 1998, there were suburbs which developed further away from the central business district and people resorted to using commuting by bus to and from work. The buses are adequate to cater for the commuters in the town. The introduction of' the commuter buses resulted in the decline of the pedestrian population from 55% to 30% of the total workforce. Author: Stewart Madzorera Environmental Health Officer Chegutu Municipality Chegutu Municipality E-mail:icleicheg@zol.co.zw Fax:(263-053) 2668 Web

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