Zimbabwe property owners told to renovate ugly buildings or go to jail

The Government has ordered property owners across Zimbabwe to repair, renovate and clean up dilapidated buildings, warning that those who fail to comply with abatement orders could face fines, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.

Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe announced the directive on Thursday, saying all 92 local authorities had been instructed to immediately begin issuing abatement orders against owners and occupiers of properties considered unsafe, unsanitary, dilapidated or otherwise unacceptable.

An abatement order is a legal directive requiring a property owner or occupier to remedy specified conditions within a period prescribed by law.

Garwe said property owners had a responsibility to ensure that their buildings, boundary walls, pavements, yards and surrounding areas were maintained in a safe, structurally sound and acceptable condition.

The directive is being implemented in terms of Section 36(4) of the Housing Standards Control Act [Chapter 29:08], which provides for measures to be taken against buildings that fall below required standards, including their repair, closure or demolition where necessary.

"In accordance with section 36, subsection 4 of the Housing Standards Control Act, all local authorities are accordingly directed to initiate processes for the issuance of abatement orders against property owners and occupiers whose buildings, boundary walls, pavements, yards and surrounding areas are unsafe, unsanitary, dilapidated, deplorable or otherwise in an unacceptable and intolerable condition," Garwe said.

He said the Government expected property owners to contribute towards creating cleaner, safer and better-maintained urban environments.

The crackdown will cover a wide range of properties, including shopping centres, business complexes, industrial premises, offices, churches and other places of worship, as well as residential properties.

"With immediate effect, ladies and gentlemen, abatement orders shall be issued to all building owners with dilapidated or undesirable buildings across all our 92 local authorities," Garwe said.

"You are expected to beautify and maintain your built environment and surrounding area to the satisfaction of the local authorities upon which you reside."

Garwe warned that property owners who disregard the orders could face criminal sanctions under the applicable legislation.

"Any person who fails to comply may be liable to a fine not exceeding level 5, imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or both, as provided for in the applicable legislation," he said.

The Government says the measures are intended to compel property owners to restore deteriorating buildings and their surroundings to acceptable standards.

The directive comes as local authorities across Zimbabwe continue to face challenges linked to ageing and deteriorating infrastructure, as well as declining standards in urban environments.