Residents of Matapi Flats in Mbare may finally see improvements to their living conditions after Engineer Collins Takunda Mnangagwa launched a renovation project targeting one of Harare’s most neglected residential complexes.
The intervention comes years after the City of Harare was accused of failing to maintain the flats despite repeated complaints from residents over deteriorating infrastructure, burst sewer pipes, water challenges and overcrowding.
Matapi Flats, a cluster of 14 three-storey blocks built during the colonial era to house African workers, have become a symbol of urban decay in Zimbabwe’s capital. Originally designed for single male workers, the buildings now accommodate thousands of residents, placing immense pressure on infrastructure that is several decades old.
Engineer Mnangagwa recently dispatched an assessment team led by Mr Brian Pande, alongside Mr Taurai Pande, Mr Chamunorwa Marufu and Mr Prince Munyaradzi Munangwa, to evaluate the state of the flats and identify urgent repairs. Following the assessment, plumbing and painting works began, with contractors already on site.
Speaking after the visit, Mr Pande said the project forms part of a broader effort to improve living conditions in high-density communities.
“We recently visited the flats after Eng Mnangagwa sent us to assess what needs to be done. We have now begun the work; this is the beginning of the project. The people here are happy. We aim to renovate all the flats in and around this area in line with the mantra of leaving no place and no one behind,” he said.
The development comes against the backdrop of a landmark High Court ruling that found the City of Harare had neglected its responsibilities towards residents of the flats. The court ordered the local authority to take steps to refurbish the buildings and address deteriorating living conditions after years of complaints from tenants.
Residents and housing activists have long argued that the council’s failure to adequately maintain the flats contributed to worsening sanitation problems, unsafe living conditions and recurring health concerns.
For many residents, the latest intervention represents a rare sign of hope after decades of decline.
The renovation project is expected to focus on plumbing repairs, painting and general rehabilitation works, with expectations that further phases could address broader infrastructure challenges affecting the area.
The initiative also aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to improve living standards and modernise urban infrastructure. Analysts say restoring aging housing stock such as Matapi Flats could play a key role in improving public health, preserving public assets and enhancing the dignity of residents in high-density suburbs.
As work begins, attention will now turn to whether the renovations can deliver lasting improvements to a complex that has for years stood as a reminder of both Harare’s rich history and its infrastructure challenges.
