Chitungwiza is an urban centre and town of Harare Province in Zimbabwe.
Chitungwiza | |
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Nickname: Chi Town | |
Motto: Pamberi nekushandira pamwe | |
Chitungwiza | |
Coordinates: 17°59′38″S 31°02′53″E / 17.99389°S 31.04806°E | |
Country | Zimbabwe |
Province | Harare Province |
Area | |
• Total | 49.02 km2 (18.93 sq mi) |
Elevation | 1,448 m (4,751 ft) |
Population (2022 census)[1] | |
• Total | 371,244 |
• Density | 7,600/km2 (20,000/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+2 (CAT) |
Climate | Cwb |
Website | www |
As of the 2022 census, Chitungwiza had a population of 371,244.[1]
There are two main highways which connect the city to Harare[2] namely Seke road and Chitungwiza road.
The Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex, built in 1995 for the All Africa Games, is no longer functional, and serves as a music and church venue.[3]
Following the civil war, people moved to urban areas. Chitungwiza grew rapidly and the squatted area of Chirambahuyo alone had a population of 30,000 in 1979.[4] Chirambahuyo was demolished by the authorities in 1982 and the inhabitants squatted elsewhere in the city in areas such as Mayambara.[5]
Areas in Chitungwiza were destroyed by Operation Murambatsvina in 2005.[6] By the mid-2010s, the number of people squatting in informal settlements was growing.[7] In 2020, the local authorities abandoned their plans to demolish squatter homes in Nyatsime, Seke, St Mary’s and Zengeza, after a court order was requested.[8]
The musician Maskiri comes from Chitungwiza.[9]
The Town Clerk in 2016 was Dr George Makunde, who complained that a reduction in his wage from $10,000 per month to $4,500 per month had put him in difficulties.[10] In 2019 and 2020, Dr. Tonderai Kasu served as the Acting Town Clerk.[11] Emmanuel Makandiwa and Alick Macheso are from Chitungwiza.
Current Mayor: Lovemore Maiko[12]