About Us
City of Mutare is a statutory body that was established in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe (Amendment 20 of 2013, Chapter 14 Section 274 and the Urban Councils Act, Chapter 29:15) and is charged with the responsibility of providing services to the residents in its area of jurisdiction. City of Mutare comprises 19 wards represented by 19 elected Councillors and 6 proportional representation Councillors.
It covers 16,700 hectares and has a newly approved Master Plan adding 14 hectares of land with a population of 224,802 according to the 2022 census.
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BACKGROUND
The City of Mutare was first established in Penhalonga in 1891 as a settlement. The settlement then moved to Old Umtali (Hartzel) in 1893. In 1896 the City moved to its present location because Beira-Harare railway line was opened that year and it was considered not suitable to take the railway line to Old Umtali due to the winding mountain ranges. City of Mutare’s population has been growing steadily since its foundation. It rose from 43540 to 45610 (average growth rate 0.5%) to 17 0466 in 2002 and 188 000 in 2012. The City grew from a small settlement ran by a Sanitary Board in1897 to a large Municipality by 1914. Mutare was then proclaimed a municipality in 1914 and was accorded City status in 1971 making it one of the oldest municipalities in Zimbabwe.ORGANISATIONAL OBJECTIVES
The City of Mutare is a lower tier of government whose purpose is to champion the government of Zimbabwe's developmental agenda at local level. The primary focus is on providing and maintaining infrastructure and other related services to the residents and ratepayers on a cost-recoverable basis.
LOCATION
City of Mutare is the provincial capital of Manicaland province. It is located about 265km from Harare and 300km from the port of Beira in Mozambique. This makes it Zimbabwe’s gateway to the sea. It has an excellent road and rail transportation system that links it with major towns and cities in Zimbabwe and the neighboring Mozambique. Grand reef transport and Mutare airdrome provide two air transport facilities. The strategic location of the City along the Zimbabwe – Beira route gives it several advantages in promoting local and international trade.
GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE
The City is currently sitting on 16 700 hectares of land. Due to its long history of development, the City’s land available for development within the old Municipal boundary is 1660 hectares both private and publicly owned. City of Mutare reviewed its Master Plan which was recently approved adding 14 595 hectares of land for future development.
Property development in the City is on upward growth trend. Properties were created through subdivision of council, state and privately owned land. The total number of properties in Mutare is 53 538, the majority being residential stands.
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS SUPPORT
Mutare is the third largest City in Zimbabwe. It has wide opportunities for business development, trade, manufacturing industry, housing and tourism. Currently, all major banks, financial institutions and building societies have branches in Mutare offering a comprehensive range of services.
INDUSTRIAL BASE
Forestry
City of Mutare is situated in the heart of Zimbabwe’s timber growing areas. The timber resources range from softwoods such as pine to hardwoods, which includes Mahogany and Mukwa. This makes Mutare an ideal location for any type of timber based industries such as board and paper manufacturing, timber milling, joinery, roof trusses and furniture manufacturing for both local and export markets.
Agricultural
A wide variety of quality agricultural produce particularly fruits and vegetables are produced in Mutare. These include apples, banana, grapes, orange, tomatoes, peas and beans. This sets Mutare as the logical location for agro-processing industries for canning, freeze-drying and packaging. The new thrust of mechanization process in the farming sector will increase the development of the sector.
Tourism
Manicaland, including the Mutare hinterland has clearly the widest range of excellent tourist resorts and facilities in Zimbabwe. These include Nyanga and Chimanimani mountains for excellent game viewing, scenic views and mountain climbing. The Vumba Mountains have breathtaking scenery and lush botanical gardens, all within an hour’s drive from the City center.
First class Hotels, Motels, Lodges and Holiday homes are scattered around Mutare and are very popular with visitors. Immense opportunities exist for tourist related activities for the area’s ever-increasing tourist traffic.
Mining
There is a rich gold belt to the north-east of Mutare in the Penhalonga valley through which the Mutare River flows. The mining of diamonds in Chiadzwa has promoted other mining activities around the City thereby promoting investment and economic growth.
Manufacturing
The abundance of raw materials in the forestry, agricultural and mining sectors resulted in the establishment of manufacturing industries in Mutare. The furniture manufacturing, steel fabrication, pole treatment and food canning industries are examples. There is also a major vehicles assembly plant in the City.
Informal Sector
Having realized the economic importance of the informal sector, Council is providing appropriate working space for players in this sector in accordance with their trades and levels of skill. Four green markets namely Murahwa, Dangamvura, Chikanga, and Hobhouse were established. New sites have been identified in Dangamvura Area 13, Maonde and Chikanga. A vending site is also now operational for rural traders at this Sakubva Bus terminus and 12 vending sheds are being provided in the City center. A flea market has also been established at Chidzere Beerhall. Weekend flea market is operated at Moto-Moto.
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS SUPPORT
Mutare is the third largest City in Zimbabwe. It has wide opportunities for business development, trade, manufacturing industry, housing and tourism. Currently, all major banks, financial institutions and building societies have branches in Mutare offering a comprehensive range of services.
OVERALL FUNCTIONS
Provision of Housing services,
Provision of potable and wholesome water,
Provision of infrastructure,
Provision of health services,
Provision of education and social amenities,
Provision of waste management services,
Environmental Management,
Provision of Planning Services,
Provision of Emergency Services and Civil Protection,
Management and regulation of the transport system,
Investment promotion,
Formulation and enforcement of by-laws,
CORE VALUES
Transparency
- We undertake to engage stakeholders in the discharge of our mandate
Accountability
- We strive to be responsible and answerable for our given mandate
Integrity
- We strive to meet clients’ needs in the delivery of service
Equity / Inclusivity
- We are committed to offer services in a non-discriminatory manner
Responsiveness
- We undertake to address stakeholder’s complaints in the shortest possible time
Team Work
- We take pride in working as a team to archive service delivery
Connect With Us
Mutare City Council, Mutare.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm