The town is situated along an A-3highway, between Harare and Mutare. It is situated 94 km from Mutare, 170km from Harare and 94km from Nyanga. It attained its town status in 1992 following proclamation by His Excellence the President R.G Mugabe. Rusape has 10 wards with a population of 31 000(2012 National Census). It has a land area of 1 050 hectares and is located in Makoni District, Manicaland
Province north eastern Zimbabwe. The name Rusape was derived from a Shona word, “Rusapwe”, referring to a local river “that never dries out”. The settlement began in 1894 with the establishment of a British South Africa Police post near the Rusape River. Rusape Town Council derives its revenue from user charges levied on residents and rate payers. There is potential for agro based industry since the town is surrounded by vibrant commercial farming activities.