Zimbabwe bans 'parallel development'

THE Government has outlawed the practice of "parallel development", declaring that no residential houses should be built or occupied before essential infrastructure, including roads, water supply, sewer systems and stormwater drainage, has been fully installed and certified by local authorities.

The policy shift marks a significant change in Zimbabwe's housing development framework and is aimed at restoring orderly urban planning while curbing the growth of poorly serviced settlements.

Authorities say the proliferation of unserviced residential developments has been driven by illegal land sales, weak enforcement of planning regulations and the widespread practice of allowing construction to proceed before land servicing is completed.

Addressing journalists last week, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the Government's position was clear and would apply to all cities, municipalities, towns and rural district councils.

"There is no such thing as parallel development, where people are being asked to build houses while servicing of roads, water and sewer is still taking place. We don't have such a thing," said Minister Garwe.

"We are following the first principles of planning and development. Whether development is undertaken by local authorities themselves, Government or private developers, proper planning must be done first. The roads, water and sewer must be constructed before anything else is built, and the local authority must issue the developer with a certificate of compliance, which then empowers the developer to sell the developed stands."

A certificate of compliance is issued only after a local authority has confirmed that all infrastructure required under approved subdivision plans has been completed to the prescribed standards.

Minister Garwe said allowing construction before servicing is complete undermines planning laws, creates long-term service delivery challenges and ultimately leaves local authorities and residents to bear the cost of retrofitting essential infrastructure.

The minister also announced a renewed crackdown on illegal land sales, commonly known as "sabhuku deals", where individuals without legal ownership or authority sell land to unsuspecting home seekers.

He revealed that Government was finalising a Statutory Instrument that will strengthen enforcement measures against illegal land transactions and ensure those involved are prosecuted.

"The Government policy on urban development is very clear. We strongly discourage the construction of houses on illegal land or land that has been processed illegally by institutions or individuals, whether in municipalities, cities, towns or rural district councils," he said.

"We must follow proper planning processes. This idea of being sold a piece of land by an individual who does not own or have title to that land is not only criminal but is going to attract severe penalties."

He added that Government would no longer tolerate the expansion of informal settlements.

"We are not going to continue entertaining the development of informal settlements in this country. Sabhuku deals must come to a grinding halt, with no apologies to make.

"We discourage people from buying from these individuals. It is now a punishable offence.

"We are putting in place a Statutory Instrument to ensure that the transacting partners will be brought before a competent court," he said.

Minister Garwe also defended the ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Harare South, saying the operation was being conducted in accordance with court orders that had been obtained several years ago.

He said affected residents had been given sufficient time to comply before demolitions commenced.

"We understand the City of Harare obtained some court orders four or five years ago and they gave the people in Harare South enough time for them to be able to remove whatever they had, but people ignored them," he said.

"Once the courts have decided, we cannot interfere as the Executive. You are very much aware of the separation of powers."

The latest policy forms part of broader Government efforts to restore orderly urban planning following years of rapid urban expansion, increasing demand for housing and the proliferation of informal settlements.

Over the past two decades, Zimbabwe has experienced a growing housing backlog that has fuelled the rise of private land developers and housing cooperatives.

In many developments, residential stands were sold before roads, sewer systems, water reticulation, stormwater drainage and other basic infrastructure had been installed.

The practice of parallel development allowed construction to begin simultaneously with, or well before, land servicing, resulting in many residential areas remaining without essential services for years.

Government believes the new policy will improve compliance with planning laws, reduce future infrastructure costs and promote the development of properly serviced, sustainable urban communities.