Marondera council blames NRZ

The Marondera Municipality has accused the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) of fueling illegal developments along the railway servitude by allocating trading spaces without consulting the local authority.

According to full council minutes seen by NewsDay Weekender, both the municipality and Marondera District Development Co-ordinator (DDC) Clemence Masawi agreed that urgent engagement with NRZ was needed to stop the unauthorised allocations.

"Councillor Chipashu raised concerns about the illegal and uncontrolled developments taking place along the railway servitude," the minutes read in part.

Town Clerk Rinashe Nyamuzihwa reportedly concurred, describing the developments as substandard and unsightly. He added that a meeting with NRZ would be convened and a formal letter of complaint sent to the parastatal, copied to the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Mashonaland East.

The meeting further revealed that the Local Government Ministry's permanent secretary had already been informed of the issue and was seized with the matter.

The railway servitude area has become a hotspot for illegal trading and space baron activities, with reports indicating that some traders are paying rent to individuals linked to NRZ.

The council has since distanced itself from the allocations and said it is relying on the parent ministry to engage NRZ to restore order.

"The permanent secretary wrote a complaint letter to NRZ, directing them to stop allocating stands along the railway servitude," the minutes stated.

Council members also raised alarm over public health risks, noting that most makeshift structures along the railway lacked ablution facilities, resulting in widespread open defecation.

"The house registered displeasure regarding the illegal developments along the railway servitude. It was noted that the best approach was to engage NRZ," read part of the report.

DDC Masawi also urged continued dialogue, while acknowledging that previous engagements with NRZ had failed to yield lasting results.

"NRZ had agreed to stop allocations, but they continued without council guidance. The council now needs to start enforcing its by-laws to restore sanity and order to the town," he said.