Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Municipal Correspondent
THE City of Harare has classified 465 properties across the capital as dilapidated, unsightly or requiring remedial works to bring them into compliance with building regulations, amid intensified inspections targeting structures posing risks to public safety and the city’s image.
Acting Harare Town Clerk, Advocate Warren Chiwawa, said a total of 465 statutory notices and Abatement Orders had been issued to affected property owners under the ongoing enforcement programme, although compliance remained low at around 30 percent.
The latest figures emerged after the City’s Building Inspectorate conducted a check-up blitz, with particular attention being paid to the Central Business District, major arterial roads and other strategic routes where neglected properties have an impact on urban aesthetics, public safety and the general environment.
“During the most recent CBD Building Inspectorate inspection blitz, the City identified 465 properties as dilapidated, unsightly and/or requiring remedial attention to achieve compliance with the applicable building regulations and standards,” Adv Chiwawa said.
He said the exercise is citywide and is not confined to the Central Business District.
However, particular attention has been given to the CBD and properties situated along major arterial and strategic roads, where deterioration has a significant impact on public safety, urban aesthetics and the general city environment.
“Compliance levels remained relatively low at around 30 percent due to the various complexities of the snags and the current wave of inspection blitz will deal with such matters,” Adv Chiwawa said.
He said property owners had a legal obligation to ensure their buildings did not deteriorate to a condition that posed risks to the public or neighbouring properties.
The enforcement programme is being conducted under the Model Building By-Laws (1977), particularly sections 48 and 49, which regulate the condition and maintenance of buildings.
Section 49 prohibits owners or occupiers from allowing buildings to become dangerous to health, unsightly, a disfigurement to the neighbourhood or otherwise offensive to people living or working in the vicinity.
Depending on the severity of the defects, enforcement measures could include statutory notices, Abatement Orders, repair and renovation requirements, securing of premises and restrictions on occupation where public safety was compromised.
Adv Chiwawa said penalties, fines and administrative charges would be imposed in line with approved statutory and Council tariffs rather than through arbitrary blanket charges.
“Applicable fines, administrative charges or penalties will be imposed strictly in accordance with the prevailing approved statutory and Council tariff framework, rather than through an arbitrary blanket penalty,” the Acting Town Clerk said.
Adv Chiwawa said the number of properties identified should not automatically be equated with the number of notices issued, as properties were at different stages of inspection, notification, representations, remedial works and verification.
He added that owners who could not immediately afford repairs were encouraged to engage Council and submit proposals setting out how and when remedial works would be undertaken.
“Financial incapacity does not, in itself, extinguish a statutory obligation to maintain property in a condition that does not endanger public health, public safety or neighbouring properties,” said the Acting Town Clerk.
Adv Chiwawa said they would administer the programme reasonably and proportionately, while prioritising buildings presenting immediate structural, fire, health or public-safety risks.
“Owners experiencing genuine difficulties are encouraged to engage the city, submit representations and, where circumstances permit, propose a credible and time-bound programme of remedial works,” he said.
The City also stressed that Government and municipally owned properties would not be exempt from the standards being applied to private buildings.
“Yes. The underlying public-safety, health and urban-management standards apply irrespective of ownership,” said Adv Chiwawa.
“The City does not consider Government or municipally owned buildings inherently exempt from requirements relating to structural safety, sanitation, maintenance and the prevention of dangerous or unsightly conditions merely by reason of public ownership.”
For City-owned properties, responsible departments have been instructed to identify deficiencies, programme remedial works and make the necessary budgetary provisions.
Council has already commenced remedial works at Town House, its headquarters, while works are also underway at Borrowdale District Office, the new Dzivaresekwa District Office and other municipal facilities.
Upcoming works include the repainting of Cleveland House, the Department of Housing and Community Services headquarters, Remembrance Drive, Mbare and Rowan Martin Building.
Government-owned properties will similarly be referred to the relevant ministries, departments and agencies for remedial action.
The city said the programme was ultimately aimed at ensuring that public safety and compliance standards were applied consistently across Harare.
“The City’s approach is, therefore, based on the principle that public safety and compliance standards should be applied consistently, fairly and without arbitrary distinction between private and public property ownership,” said Adv Chiwawa.
