Illegal structures sprout across Bulawayo

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has raised alarm over a surge in illegal structures erected on private land, roads, road reserves, stream banks and council property, warning that such developments violate municipal by-laws and national legislation.

Town clerk Christopher Dube said council inspectors had identified unlawful residential developments behind stands 23418–23430 in Cowdray Park, with developers ordered to immediately cease all operations.

"Members of the public and other stakeholders are therefore advised that all such illegal structures should be removed or demolished with immediate effect by individuals or organisations responsible," Dube said.

He cautioned prospective buyers against purchasing land in the affected areas, stressing that any structures erected on ecologically sensitive land or undesignated sites would be demolished.

"The public is hereby informed that the City of Bulawayo, in terms of Sections 24, 35 and 37 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 29:12, sections 46, 47 and 48 of the Roads Act, Chapter 13:18, section 6 of the Model Building By-Laws (1977) and sections 11 and 12 of the Bulawayo (Protection of Lands and Natural Resources) By-Laws, 1975, will effect its mandate to ensure compliance through these legislative frameworks," he said.

Dube added that failure to comply would attract legal consequences.

"Any persons or organisations who fail to comply with this notice with immediate effect will be liable to face legal action, and the Municipality will remove illegal structures at the cost of offenders," he warned.

The council's latest move signals a renewed push to enforce planning regulations and curb the proliferation of unregulated settlements, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas prone to degradation and flooding.