Tiyani Hahlani
Centre News Hub
Masvingo- City of Masvingo Mayor Alec Tabe has ordered public transport operators to vacate all informal and unauthorised ranks in the city centre within one week, as the city moves to clean up its Central Business District(CBD) ahead of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, set for September 9 to 12, 2026.
Tabe said this during the signing ceremony of the city’s reviewed Master Plan, a document expected to guide Masvingo’s spatial development for the next 20 years.
 The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa, councillors, the Town Clerk, city management, the lead planner, the Junior Mayor, government officials, business representatives, residents’ associations and transport operators, among other stakeholders.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tabe said Council’s next move was to restore the old Shu-Shine Rank and clear all informal or unauthorised taxi ranks from the CBD.
“I am therefore giving the relevant operators one week to comply with this directive, ‘Ma bus ese ku Rank!’ an instruction for all buses to return to the rank,” said Tabe.
He said the exercise was meant to restore order and present a welcoming face to visitors during the expo.
As part of preparations, Council has also set up a new designated loading area for mushika-shika taxis.
Tabe said this would free up parking bays for visitors and help Council recover revenue it has been losing through unregulated use of those bays by mushika-shika operators.
The Mayor also urged local businesses to stock up and improve service quality ahead of the expo, describing it as a chance to market their brands and the city itself to visitors travelling from across Zimbabwe and beyond.
He said Council would relax operating hours during the expo period to allow businesses to make the most of the increased demand.
Tabe described the reviewed Master Plan as more than a document, calling it a commitment to inclusive and participatory governance in which “no one and no place has been left behind.”
He said some of its provisions would be implemented directly, while others would be rolled out through local development plans and subject-specific plans developed in consultation with residents and other stakeholders.
He closed by expressing confidence that Masvingo was ready to host the 2026 expo and appealed to residents, businesses and government agencies to work together to ensure the event delivers lasting economic benefits for the city.
