The impact of rural urban migration on smaller settlements surrounding bigger towns : a case of Epworth local board

Abstract

Epworth is one of the suburbs that is very close to Zimbabwe’s capital city Harare. It is located 15km to the South-east of Harare city. Epworth has a total population of 167 000 people according to the census of 2012. Due to many pull and push factors, humans have been moving to Harare from the rural localities like Goromonzi,Domboshava, Chiweshe among others. However, life has not been easy in the capital city for many of them. Housing demand has been high and unemployment has also increased. Cash crisis has been rampant too resulting in many residents failing to pay rents. Most of the people had sought refuge in the neighbouring smaller settlements to cope with the reality of life. Now pressure has been exerted to Epworth Local B oard to provide water and sanitation to a population that is far beyond their reach. Services have been strained as too many people are moving in into Epworth. Epworth is very small in terms of area, but its population is too big. Disease outbreaks and crime are a common feature. The original setters who came first have accused the late comers to be the ones that have created chaos in Epworth. The late comers that are referred to are the migrants from areas such as Mbare, Mufakose, Mabvuku, Kuwadzana, Dzivarasekwa and many other suburbs in Harare. The research was based on Epworth. The researcher used a sample size of 25 which suited the available resources. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews to both council officials and the residents. probability (systematic) sampling was used. Central government has not helped Epworth in terms of housing provisions a situation that has seen a sharp rise if informality in Epworth. The research recommended that Epworth Local Board should regularise its settlement to minimise in-migrants. The research found out that people are moving to Epworth due to cheap cost of living.This research, however, seeks to achieve the following aim or objective that is why there is movement from the capital city to the periphery zones. Resolutions and solutions to the effects of migration in Epworth are suggested in this research