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New Harare blitz targets durawalls
2 hrs ago |
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The Harare City Council has launched a city-wide crackdown on illegal precast walls and unauthorised structures, with mayor Jacob Mafume defending recent demolitions in Mbare as necessary to protect public safety and restore proper drainage systems.
Mafume said many of the walls were constructed without council approval and were blocking drainage lines, leading to flooding, property damage, and potential health hazards-especially with the onset of heavy rains.
"These precast walls were on a drainage line," he said, explaining that blocked waterways caused water to seep into homes, damaging property and creating unsanitary conditions.
The council's enforcement campaign targets illegal structures encroaching on wetlands, road reserves, and drainage pathways. Mafume said affected residents had been warned in advance but failed to comply, prompting council to act.
He added that the situation in Mbare was particularly urgent due to the area's infrastructure limitations, noting that many developments there lack proper drainage systems.
Beyond flooding risks, Mafume also raised concerns about safety and crime. He warned that high precast walls can create "corridors of darkness," making it easier for criminals to operate.
"People who work at night are accosted," he said, linking poorly lit enclosed spaces to increased incidents of crime.
The mayor said council is considering requiring property owners to install lighting if they construct high walls, as part of broader measures to improve safety and visibility in residential areas.
"You cannot create a dam and call it a precast wall," Mafume said, stressing that property owners must consider the impact of their developments on neighbours and the wider community.
The crackdown highlights long-standing tensions between private property rights and urban planning regulations, with many residents reportedly building without approved plans. Council officials say enforcement is often reactive, triggered only after complaints or visible damage.
The initiative aims to enforce compliance with building regulations, protect infrastructure, and ensure more orderly urban development across Harare.
Mafume said many of the walls were constructed without council approval and were blocking drainage lines, leading to flooding, property damage, and potential health hazards-especially with the onset of heavy rains.
"These precast walls were on a drainage line," he said, explaining that blocked waterways caused water to seep into homes, damaging property and creating unsanitary conditions.
The council's enforcement campaign targets illegal structures encroaching on wetlands, road reserves, and drainage pathways. Mafume said affected residents had been warned in advance but failed to comply, prompting council to act.
He added that the situation in Mbare was particularly urgent due to the area's infrastructure limitations, noting that many developments there lack proper drainage systems.
"People who work at night are accosted," he said, linking poorly lit enclosed spaces to increased incidents of crime.
The mayor said council is considering requiring property owners to install lighting if they construct high walls, as part of broader measures to improve safety and visibility in residential areas.
"You cannot create a dam and call it a precast wall," Mafume said, stressing that property owners must consider the impact of their developments on neighbours and the wider community.
The crackdown highlights long-standing tensions between private property rights and urban planning regulations, with many residents reportedly building without approved plans. Council officials say enforcement is often reactive, triggered only after complaints or visible damage.
The initiative aims to enforce compliance with building regulations, protect infrastructure, and ensure more orderly urban development across Harare.
Source - Newsday
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