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Municipal Reporter
Chitungwiza Municipality has withdrawn its 48-hour notice to demolish illegal structures near Unit D Shopping Centre, but will proceed to clear the area in a lawful manner.
The decision to demolish the structures had drawn mixed reactions from residents with Chitungwiza Residents Trust (Chitrest) pushing for the demolitions to be stayed until at least after the rainy season, and for council to obtain a court order before any demolitions.
The Chitungwiza Progressive Residents Association and Residents Association of Chitungwiza Trust said the decision was justified.
In a letter on Monday to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights representing Chitrest, Chitungwiza’s acting chamber secretary Mr Raymond Wenyeve said the local authority was withdrawing its demolition order.
Lawyer Mr Tinashe Chinopfukutwa represented ZLHR.
“Reference is made to your letter dated 31 December 2021. We hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter. Please kindly note the response to the issues that you raised in your letter as set out hereunder.
“We hereby kindly inform you that the published demolition order was withdrawn by the municipality. Accordingly, no demolitions shall be executed in compliance with it,” he said.
Mr Wenyeve said as they had indicated earlier on, demolition of illegal structures shall be executed subject to the provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act.
In the earlier notice, Chitungwiza acting town clerk Mrs Evangelista Machona had said: “Notice is hereby given that it has come to the attention of the council that at Town Centre Unit D Shopping Centre illegal structures come or have already been put up without council approval.
“Therefore, take note that in terms of Section 35 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act you are ordered to demolish any structures erected, remove all the rubble from the land and restore the land to its original state.”
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