The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube and Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporters
PLUMTREE and Hwange councils have issued notices announcing plans to embark on a massive exercise of demolishing all illegal structures in their areas of jurisdiction, a move meant to restore sanity, uphold public order and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the towns.
The impending demolition drive signals a significant effort to revitalise the urban landscape and maintain order in both towns. In a notice, acting Plumtree town secretary Mr Thembalami Nyoni said 52 illegal structures faced possible demolition in the town, which included tuck shops, kitchen sheds and illegal buildings that were built without following council procedures.
“Council resolved (FC55/24), to enforce and order the removal of illegal structures stated on the table herein. Owners of the said properties are advised to comply with the directive issued in order to avoid unnecessary costs associated with council proceeding to perform on behalf of the offenders. Failure to comply with this order, will leave council with no option but to evoke provisions of section 32, part two subsection C of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act 29:12 as read with provisions of the Model Building by-laws chapter two section 42 subsection three,” reads the notice.
According to the Act, the local authority may direct the owner or tenant of any site upon which there has been erected a structure falling within the terms of this part to remove such structures from the site if at any time the structure becomes unsightly or likely to depreciate the value of any neighbouring premises in any way offensive.
On the other hand the Hwange Local Board (HLB) has said it will soon demolish all illegal structures as part of its efforts to enhance compliance and standards of infrastructural development in its area of jurisdiction.
In their recent newsletter, HLB town planner, Mr Themba Sibanda said over the past two years, the council has covered a lot of ground with regard to development control issues, which includes engaging as well as issuing notices and penalties to illegal developers. He said a total of 45 illegal structures and developments were identified during an exercise carried out by the planning section.
“We managed to identify 45 illegal structures and developments, these included those that had engaged in illegal change of use. We wrote notices to the offenders and even issued penalties to some. However, only 10 managed to comply,” said Mr Sibanda.
He said the council was in the process of taking all necessary steps to start demolishing illegal structures belonging to defiant offenders.
“We are going to demolish illegal structures as soon as possible. It is most likely to be before the end of the first quarter of this year. We will, however, follow all stages required before commencing demolishing. We will have to take the issue to the Council committees, then it gets a resolution at a Full Council meeting. Thereafter we will apply for a court order to embark on the demolishing,” he added.
Mr Sibanda said any construction done without approved plans and requisite inspections by Council was in contravention of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act [Chapter 29:12] and Hwange Local Board 2023 Building By-Law.
Meanwhile, the Government last Wednesday expressed concern over people who are settling illegally on urban and rural agricultural State land, as well as those who are illegally selling the land. In a joint statement, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka; Local Government and Public Works Minister, Cde Winston Chitando; Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Acting Minister, Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi and National Housing and Social Amenities Minister, Cde Daniel Garwe, said in terms of the Land Commission Act and the Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act, it is illegal to occupy rural State land without lawful authority in the form of an offer letter, a permit or a lease.
They added that it is also illegal for any person who is not authorised by central or local Government to sell, lease or offer a lease with an option to purchase State land or council land.
“Government’s position has been consistently clear that there has to be an orderly and legal settlement on the land. However, it has been noted with concern that there are people who are settling themselves illegally on urban land as well as rural agricultural State land and others who are illegally selling the same,” read the statement.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi also issued a statement on Tuesday, warning people against paying for any land allocations before verifying its authenticity.
“Operation no to land barons and illegal settlements on land started in January and is progressing well. As of February 12, 2024, a total of 3 775 suspects had been arrested, with 985 convictions being made by the courts, while 3 360 are still pending trial.
“The police reiterates that the public should verify the status of any land before being settled or made to pay for the purported allocation or development,” read the statement.
