Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor
AFTER years of enduring persistent flooding caused by a drainage trench dug by the local authority within their yard, a Harrisvale family in Bulawayo has received a cash compensation along with a 600-square-metre residential stand in Mahatshula East.
The family’s property at 9 Hollyhock Close is situated on a natural watercourse which is any channel through which water flows including rivers, streams, drains or culverts. This has prompted the Bulawayo City Council to excavate a drainage trench to mitigate flood damage across the entire suburb.
However, the trench’s location within their yard subjected the family to yearly flooding and hardship. For years, the family sought assistance from the council to no avail, until last year when a resolution was passed in their favour, awarding them monetary compensation and a medium-density residential plot within the city.
Despite the offer, the property owner, Mr Brian Ndlovu, declined the 600-square-metre stand, located in Mahatshula East, requesting instead a plot matching the original property size of 1 164 square metres.
According to the latest council report, this was rejected by the local authority, who noted that the 600 square metre stand is in line with the current standard stand size for residential stands, as per the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works directive on the National Human Settlements Policy (2020).
“It was made clear that this matter was brought to council several times, but council on 2 May 2025 had resolved that no further demands from Mr Ndlovu shall be entertained.
Despite receiving compensation, the family remains on the original property, continuing to press for a larger plot.
The city council further rejected the request for a 20 percent disturbance fee, amounting to US$14 000, stating that such compensation was beyond their mandate. However, they agreed to waive building plan and inspection fees as requested by the family.
“Currently council had 600 square-metre stands in Mahatshula East, which qualified for medium-density status in terms of the current standards. These were the stands that were received from Enock Construction, council’s share of the project,” the report reads.
“Harrisvale Township was designed using the old standard where medium-density stands ranged from 600 square meters to 1 200 square metres. Current planning standard for medium density was 400 square metres to 600 square metres as per the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works directive.”
The council also noted that claims for property damage due to repeated flooding would be addressed separately. The insurance company classified the flooding as a known recurring event rather than an accident, making it ineligible for coverage.
