Illegal settlements irk residents

Harare Residents Trust has said the alarming rate of illegal settlement in Harare are rising concern of residents amid concerns most of them were parcelled out by the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing ministry without the involvement of the council.

"The issue of illegal settlements in Harare has become the talk of the day among home seekers.The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has been parcelling out residential stands to unemployed youths in Harare," said the trust.

"These residential stands are not serviced. There is no water, sewerage and road networks to ensure that the new people have a conducive environment in line with the town planning regulations. For some time now, the City of Harare has been unable to offer quality service delivery to residents."

The trust asked how the council would deal with the growing population against infrastructure that is not being expanded.

"This unmatched development where more residential stands are being dished, and yet the infrastructure is not expanding will lead to diseases outbreaks, land degradation and increased air pollution, and creation of sums. Ultimately, crime rate will increase, and the City's few residents who are paying will totally fail to contain the situation, leading to more chaos," said the Trust.

"But again, what is the motive of dishing out unserviced stands when the City of Harare is currently unable to provide essential services to the residents?"