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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has handed over 60 houses constructed under its Benefit Fund (BF) project, which targets improved access to decent accommodation to serving members and their dependents.
Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda officially handed over the houses on Friday at Ultra High Density in Gwanda Town.

He told the gathering the housing project was in line with the government’s development blue-print, Zim-Asset, and the global targets under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“In this regard the ZDF BF is playing its part towards the achievement of the government goals on accommodation. It is pleasing to note that the fund is focusing on issues that progress the affairs of the members by ensuring that they will have a roof over their heads during and after service,” said Lt-Gen Sibanda.

“The ZDF BF has also been fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on the provision of housing since its inception as way back as 1988.

“It is this vision which has brought us here today and which has seen a combined total number of 4,725 stands being offered by various local authorities, private developers and Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle, of which 136 slabs and 3,098 houses have since been constructed, built and handed over to beneficiaries countrywide during the last 26 years.”

Lt-Gen Sibanda paid tribute to the Gwanda Municipality for availing stands to the ZDF BF project and thanked the local community for accommodating the project.

“It is my conviction that you will live in harmony with the ZDF members who have now become part of your community,” he said.

In the past ZDF used to give members stands at slab level but beneficiaries had challenges in building the houses hence the construction of the two-roomed core houses.

The fund was formed to create a financial institution that would help enhance the welfare and financial wellbeing of ZDF members.

Representing the board of trustees were chairman, Sijabuliso Thabani Biyam, Air Vice Marshal Titus Abu-Basutu, who said the projects undertaken by the fund across the country were progressing well.

“The Gwanda housing project handover, which we are witnessing today, is one of the success stories of building projects the fund has undertaken countrywide.

The fund purchased 160 stands at Jahunda, Ultra High and Spitzkop North Extension high density suburbs from the Municipality of Gwanda in 2002.

The fund then built 60 two roomed core houses starting in 2012 at a cost of $461,821,31. The other 100 members opted to build for themselves due to various reasons,” he said.

The fund also gives loans of a maximum of $5,000 to its members.

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Abedinico Ncube commended ZDF and urged other players to emulate this noble initiative.

“This ZDF BF housing programme will go a long way in alleviating accommodation challenges of members of ZDF amongst our population. I will therefore like to assure the ZDF BF that the province will continue to support your efforts by availing residential stands for the programme to reach out to more ZDF members,” he said.

The handover came at a time when the province is expected to host belated World Habitat Day commemorations in Gwanda Town.