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Minister of Defence Dr Sydney Sekeramayi opens a door to officially hand over Zimbabwe Defence Forces Benefiary Fund houses in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo yesterday. Looking on from left are the ZDF commander General Constatine Chiwenga, Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Eunice Moyo, senior army officials and invited guests

Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Reporter
THE Minister of Defence, Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, yesterday handed over 302 core houses in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb to members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.The two-roomed houses were built courtesy of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Benefit Fund.

Addressing beneficiaries and residents, Dr Sekeramayi said the army’s move to provide its members with accommodation contributed to the country’s economic blue print, Zimbabwe Agenda for Socio-Economic Transformation  (Zim-Asset).

He said the resolution directed that all core houses be built to allow beneficiaries to move into their houses.

“The construction of these houses is meant to spur development by improving social and economic conditions for ZDF members. It is pleasing to note that the fund is focusing on issues that advance the affairs of members by ensuring that they have a roof over their heads during and after service,” said Dr Sekeramayi.

Dr Sekeramayi said the project had grown over the years from issuing residential stands at slab level to handing over a completed house.

He said in the past, the fund used to hand over stands at slab level to beneficiaries but a resolution adopted at the benefit fund’s annual general meeting in 2010 changed  that.

“Beneficiaries are now expected to make improvements to the  core houses while staying in them. That way, they would be able to mitigate the accommodation challenges facing members of the army and their families,” said Dr Sekeramai.

He said the ZDF Benefit Fund has also been fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals on the provision of houses since its inception in 1988.

Dr Sekeramayi paid tribute to ZDF commander, General Constantine Chiwenga, Zimbabwe National Army Commander, Lieutenant-General Valerio Sibanda and Air-Force Commander, Perrence Shiri, for their efforts in ensuring that members of the army acquire decent accommodation.

“The provision of accommodation and other social amenities to the ZDF members is a command function and therefore I’m convinced that you have acquainted yourselves very well in that role,” he said.

The minister also commended the Bulawayo City Council for availing residential stands to members of the army and checking on the workmanship throughout the construction process.

“To those who have benefited today take note that these core houses are for your families. Do not dispose of the houses as a way of raising quick money. Remember that the few dollars raised maybe blown in a matter of minutes while a house in your possession is an asset for life,” said Dr Sekeremayi.

Bulawayo provincial affairs minister Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo praised ZDF for their efforts to reduce housing backlog  in the city which stands at more than 100,000.

The chairperson of the ZDF benefit fund board of trustees Sijabuliso Biyam said since its inception, the fund has assisted in purchasing of residential stands and constriction of housing units in different parts of the country.

He said to date, 4,725 stands were offered by various authorities and are at various stages of development.

Biyam said 3,256 houses have been built, adding that the fund has also assisted 1,491 individuals who sourced their own residential stands by paying for the stands

He said the 302 houses in Cowdray Park were built at a cost of about $1, 7 million.