Chitungwiza report expected today

Municipal Reporter
The much-awaited audit report on the illegal structures in Chitungwiza and Seke rural areas is expected out today, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Deputy Minister Joel Biggie Matiza has said.
Deputy Minister Matiza said he would wait for the report before making comments regarding the impending demolitions of illegal structures.

“We are expecting the report to be out tomorrow (today),” he said. “Right now I am not in a position to comment over the issue, you have to wait for tomorrow (today).”

Last week, Deputy Minister Matiza said his ministry had set up a team to do a forensic audit in Chitungwiza and Seke and come up with recommendations.

He said Government would only be able to redress the problem once the report was out.

The report paves way for the demolition of all illegal structures in Chitungwiza and Seke communal lands.

Deputy Minister Matiza said some of the houses illegally constructed on wetlands were already cracking, while wells sunk in those areas where mixing with water containing faecal matter exposing the residents to cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases.

Harare City Council recently gave residents a two-month reprieve to negotiate with council on the way forward regarding their illegal structures before demolition begins.

The city said it would demolish all illegal structures as part of efforts to restore the city’s sunshine status and meet its target of making the city world class by 2025.

Government has plans to launch a national housing programme to address accommodation shortages countrywide.

The housing backlog stands at 1,5 million in the country and Government in its economic blueprint, Zim Asset, has targeted to construct some houses to address the issue.