Mafume calls on developers to meet legal standards

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has urged property developers to adhere to legal obligations by delivering fully compliant infrastructure, including roads, sewer systems, and street lighting, in line with statutory requirements.

The call comes amid criticism from property mogul Ken Sharpe, whose company is behind the billion-dollar Pomona City project. Sharpe has accused the council of hampering economic growth through poor service delivery, high fees, and what he terms "incompetent operations," arguing that developers are bearing costs that should fall under the council's remit.

Speaking to journalists after the Community Health Equity Fund (CHEF) signing ceremony last Thursday, Mayor Mafume stressed that legal compliance is a key criterion for being recognized as a developer.

"It is the law that if you are doing a development, you hand over to council a complete product. In other words, you hand over to council a development with sewer, with roads, with lighting. That's why you are being called a developer," Mafume said.

He also highlighted efforts to involve developers in the council's annual budgetary process, allowing them to provide input on rates adjustments and service improvements.

"Developers are welcome, individually or through their associations, to take part in the budgetary process. They can make presentations, and if need be, rates can be adjusted in the upcoming budget," he said.

Mafume emphasized the importance of local authorities meeting their targets to improve service delivery. "Meeting our targets means better service delivery to residents," he said. "Together with the President, we will be visiting councils and holding seminars to come up with solutions that enhance the lives of residents."

Acknowledging persistent financial and operational challenges, Mafume cited limited resources, cash-based economic constraints, personnel inefficiencies, and outdated laws as obstacles.

"The challenge is ratepayers don't have money to pay, so we can't fund the services. The economy is cash-based; we can't fund a council using cash, we need to fund using loans. There are very few donors, and the private sector is not acting as it should," he said.

Mayor Mafume's remarks signal the council's commitment to enforcing development standards while seeking collaboration with developers to enhance urban infrastructure and service delivery in Harare.