Bulawayo warns over fake 'Smart City' project

Bulawayo City Council has warned residents against buying residential stands being advertised on social media as part of a purported "Smart City" development in Cowdray Park and parts of three other suburbs.

The local authority said it had no connection to the project and urged members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with individuals or companies promoting the sale of stands.

Social media advertisements have claimed that private developers intend to establish the purported development in Cowdray Park, portions of Norwood, Richmond and Helenvale.

However, Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said the areas fall under the jurisdiction and administration of the Bulawayo City Council.

"The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public that it has noted, with concern, a number of ill-informed social media posts and communication circulating about an alleged ‘Smart City' development purported to take place in Cowdray Park, including claims about the sale of residential stands," Dube said.

He said the council remained responsible for municipal services, planning and development in the affected areas in accordance with the law.

"Accordingly, council remains responsible for administering municipal services, planning and development in accordance with applicable laws and regulations," he said.

Dube said the council had not authorised the purported development or issued any permits for the subdivision or sale of stands linked to the project.

"Members of the public are, therefore, urged not to assume that any advertisements, social media posts, promotional material or offers relating to the purported development have been issued, endorsed or authorised by the City of Bulawayo," he said.

"Council has not issued any subdivision or development permit for the purported ‘Smart City' development."

The latest warning comes amid growing concerns over illegal land sales in Bulawayo, where demand for residential stands remains high.

Last year, the council also warned residents against buying unserviced stands in Umganin Phase IV from three property developers — Veluntina Investments (Pvt) Ltd, Cabin Lock Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd trading as Cabin Lock Construction, and Heavenview Properties (Pvt) Ltd.

The companies had entered into service agreements with the council for the development of residential stands, with the agreements requiring them to fully fund the servicing of the land before selling the stands.

Council said it had received reports of stands being sold before roads, sewerage, water and other infrastructure had been completed and officially commissioned.

The local authority warned that people who purchase land through illegal or unauthorised arrangements risk losing their investments if the relevant service agreements are cancelled.

Bulawayo's housing shortage has created a lucrative environment for unscrupulous developers and land barons seeking to exploit desperate home seekers.

The city has a housing waiting list of more than 160,000 applicants, with the backlog persisting for decades amid shortages of serviced land and slow housing development.

Council has in recent years stepped up efforts to curb illegal land sales, warning that unregulated developments can result in financial losses for residents while also undermining proper urban planning and the delivery of municipal services.