Harare double-storey building to be demolished

Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume has said a controversial double-storey building in Vainona will be demolished to appease residents, despite the owner holding council-approved architectural plans.

The structure, located at the corner of Alpes and Grant roads, has sparked controversy after it emerged that it encroaches on the road frontage and extends onto Alpes Road. City authorities flagged the development in 2024, but construction has continued, with the owner recently completing painting and tiling works.

Residents fear the continued improvements are a calculated attempt to inflate the property's value in anticipation of possible compensation should the City of Harare proceed with demolition.

Cllr Mafume said the council's policy position remains firm.

"We have issued the position as policymakers that it was built wrongly. There is no problem in building, but the way it was built close to the road edge," he said.

"It's going to end with one result. It's going to end in being brought down."

However, he said the council is currently constrained by legal action instituted by the property owner.

"The owner, for some reason or the other, insists on keeping it the way it is, using a flurry of tactics which includes litigation. Once the court processes they have initiated are done, we will get a clearer picture," Mafume said.

On whether the council would compensate the owner, given that it had admitted to approving the building in error, Mafume was dismissive.

"I am not his lawyer. If he believes there has been a fault, he should consult his lawyer. I represent the residents; they are not happy with that structure, and we will comply with their wishes."

Last year, Acting Director of Urban Planning Samuel Nyabezi conceded that the council had erred and criticised building inspectors for failing to conduct proper checks.

"Inspections were conducted by our building inspectors, but it's clear that some of them failed to think critically," Nyabezi said.

"They simply approve every plan they receive with a stamp, neglecting to compare the approved plans with the actual site conditions."

Efforts to obtain a comment from the owner, Mr Allen Shonhiwa, were unsuccessful as his phone went unanswered and written questions had not been responded to by the time of publication.

In a previous interview, Shonhiwa insisted that all procedures were followed.

"I am yet to be formally informed by the City Council regarding any demolition. I am hearing this for the first time from you," he said last year.

"Everything was done above board."

He said he acquired the stand 15 years ago and delayed development for several years, adding that the surrounding area includes several undeveloped stands and is earmarked for commercial use.

Shonhiwa argued that the structure was appropriately positioned and that commercial properties should not be subjected to the same requirements as neighbouring residential houses.

Residents remain divided. One resident, who identified himself as Mr Ranga, said continued improvements would increase the cost to ratepayers if compensation is eventually paid.

"When this issue was first raised, the building had not even been painted. Now the owner is adding finishing touches, which means council will have to pay more," he said.

Another resident, Ms Tendai Sika, said the building posed no safety risk.

"Many buildings in the central business district are just as close to the road. I fail to see how this is any different," she said.

A visit to the site showed the building is complete but unoccupied. Interior finishes, including painting and tiling, have been finalised. The structure measures approximately 35 metres by 15 metres, with the ground floor consisting of two large rooms and the upper floor subdivided into smaller office-like spaces.