HARARE City Council has hailed Government’s support against land invasions across the city on wetlands earmarked for urban renewal development projects.
This comes as land barons, some linked to the corruption-riddled council, were parcelling out residential stands on wetlands to desperate home seekers.
This has resulted on some people having their homes illegally built on wetlands being demolished as they would have the authority to build on the area.
In June last year, the Government gave an ultimatum to land barons who continued to invade wetlands, greenways and areas reserved for national development in and around Harare saying the new illegal structures will be demolished and the barons arrested.
The latest surge of invasions of wetlands and greenways included the internationally recognised Monavale vlei and some spaces around Mbare that were earmarked for urban renewal development projects. Council in a statement yesterday said they have noticed an influx of land invasions in and around the city on wetlands and land meant for other purposes.
“The city is buoyed by Government support against land invasions and will ensure that all land is properly planned for and is used for what it is zoned for,” council said.
“As council, we sympathise with residents who chose to listen to land barons instead of council which controls development in its area of jurisdiction. But while we commiserate with them, we are determined to bring order in Harare and to restore the invaded land to its planned use.
“The land being invaded is earmarked for schools, and business centres while some of it is unsuitable for construction work. Wetlands are being invaded and parcelled out as housing land. City of Harare and Government are the only land authorities in Harare.”
The local authority said no one besides council and the Government had the mandate to distribute land for any purpose. Council said they will not entertain anyone who settled on municipal land without its consent.
“Anyone who chooses to build without council approval would be throwing their investments down the drain. Residents and home seekers are free to visit our district offices and Rememberance Drive offices in Mbare to make inquiries on any housing development projects in Harare.”
Council has been criticised for lacking seriousness on wetlands preservation, with the city operating without a legally required Local Environmental Action Plan over the year.
Two years ago, the Government made it clear that local authorities should, as part of their main mandate, ensure the preservation and protection of wetlands because they are critical in the provision of water.
This is especially so in cities such as Harare which is located within the headwaters of the Upper Manyame Catchment basin. – The Herald
