Beitbridge orders residents to demolish houses

Residents in Beitbridge who were allocated stands under the Alpha International Land Developers project near the town's water supply dams have been served with orders to demolish structures built on unauthorised land.

The demolition orders were signed by Douglas Siphuma, aiming to restore the land to its original state. Beitbridge town clerk Loud Ramakgapola confirmed the orders and emphasised that constructing houses without council approval is illegal.

"The law allows for demolition after following due process. Council will look on a case-by-case basis and map a way forward," Ramakgapola said.

He added that the Zimbabwe National Water Authority had written to the council regarding the illegal structures and that while the developer bears primary responsibility, residents would undergo individual assessments before any action is taken.

"The developer is responsible. We wrote a prohibition order; we cannot punish residents in that manner. We will engage the developer and map a way forward," he said.

Beitbridge, established in 1929 and granted municipal status in 2018 under Statutory Instrument 28 of 2018, is located at the border with South Africa and hosts the Beitbridge Border Post, the busiest inland port of entry in sub-Saharan Africa.