There has been much confusion and disorganization in Harare regarding the giving out of permits for building service stations and cluster houses. Councillor Takudzwa Dzumbunu, in charge of the city's works and town planning, made this surprising announcement on Tuesday. She spoke before the Commission of Inquiry, which was set up to investigate how Harare City Council has been run since 2017.
President Mnangagwa appointed the commission in May. It comprises five people and is led by Justice Maphios Cheda, a retired judge. The commission investigates how the city is governed, how money is handled, and how things are generally run.
Cllr Dzumbunu told the commission that cluster houses are popping up everywhere, but sometimes, they're being built in areas that lack the right infrastructure to support them. She said the problem is worsening because the city council hasn't developed a clear policy on cluster housing.
She explained that the sewers and other services were originally designed for a few people. They haven't been updated to handle the needs of cluster houses, where you might have a dozen homes on a piece of land that used only to have one house.
Cllr Dzumbunu said they met to devise a policy to address all these issues, including their concerns about the infrastructure and the sewage system. She admitted that officials sometimes rush to give out permits because they haven't finalized the policy. Another problem is that the council can't hold onto someone's application for more than three months without making a decision.
The person leading the questioning of the witnesses, Mr Thabani Mpofu, pointed out that the city council keeps giving out permits for cluster houses even though there are clear risks to residents. And they're doing this without having a proper policy in place.
Cllr Dzumbunu agreed that officials are breaking the rules by letting property owners use their land for service stations too close to houses and apartments. She said she's seen areas with many service stations, some right next to where people live.
It also emerged that some property owners are asking to change the use of their land, which is why so many service stations are popping up. Cllr Dzumbunu explained that people are allowed to apply to change the use of their private land by law. According to the Regional Town Planning Act, the authorities can't stop them from doing this.
She thinks most property owners want to enter the fuel business because it's only sold in US dollars. In Harare, there's been a big increase in the number of service stations built, sometimes without approval, right in the middle or close to residential areas. This is a serious safety concern for the public because things like diesel, petrol, and paraffin are highly flammable and toxic liquids.
President Mnangagwa appointed the commission in May. It comprises five people and is led by Justice Maphios Cheda, a retired judge. The commission investigates how the city is governed, how money is handled, and how things are generally run.
Cllr Dzumbunu told the commission that cluster houses are popping up everywhere, but sometimes, they're being built in areas that lack the right infrastructure to support them. She said the problem is worsening because the city council hasn't developed a clear policy on cluster housing.
She explained that the sewers and other services were originally designed for a few people. They haven't been updated to handle the needs of cluster houses, where you might have a dozen homes on a piece of land that used only to have one house.
Cllr Dzumbunu said they met to devise a policy to address all these issues, including their concerns about the infrastructure and the sewage system. She admitted that officials sometimes rush to give out permits because they haven't finalized the policy. Another problem is that the council can't hold onto someone's application for more than three months without making a decision.
The person leading the questioning of the witnesses, Mr Thabani Mpofu, pointed out that the city council keeps giving out permits for cluster houses even though there are clear risks to residents. And they're doing this without having a proper policy in place.
Cllr Dzumbunu agreed that officials are breaking the rules by letting property owners use their land for service stations too close to houses and apartments. She said she's seen areas with many service stations, some right next to where people live.
It also emerged that some property owners are asking to change the use of their land, which is why so many service stations are popping up. Cllr Dzumbunu explained that people are allowed to apply to change the use of their private land by law. According to the Regional Town Planning Act, the authorities can't stop them from doing this.
She thinks most property owners want to enter the fuel business because it's only sold in US dollars. In Harare, there's been a big increase in the number of service stations built, sometimes without approval, right in the middle or close to residential areas. This is a serious safety concern for the public because things like diesel, petrol, and paraffin are highly flammable and toxic liquids.
