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Midlands Bureau
Private land developers in Gweru and Vungu created illegal stands on undeveloped land and along river banks without seeking approval from council, a committee set up by Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo to investigate flooding in parts of the identified area has established.
According to the report, some housing schemes in Gweru did not have layout plans approved by either Gweru City Council or Vungu Rural District council.
The committee also noted that even where approved plans existed, developers created up to 400 extra stands outside the approved layouts, thereby compromising the drainage system.
Tinshel and Ascot Extension were among the developments where proper procedures were not followed.
“In view of the key observations highlighted above, the committee recommended that the circumstances leading to the allocation of 410 stands at Ascot Extension should be investigated,” read part of the report.
The delays in putting the required infrastructure by the developer of Tinshel Housing Scheme and construction of houses on the same stands needed to be further investigated to ensure accountability and corrective action.
Some stands were created and allocated along river and stream banks when developers ignored the standard planning rules of keeping all development at least 30m from a water course.
“The environmental impact assessment conditions to respect the 30m flood buffer were not complied with resulting in flooding,” read the report.
“Roads and storm water drainage were not constructed to standard resulting in flooding of 57 stands under Tinshel Housing Project. Also lack of safe water for drinking and sanitation facilities poses a serious public health hazard.”
Online Reporter