Council regularises illegal settlements

Talent Gore

HARARE City Council has announced plans to regularise 5 066 stands in 24 illegal settlements in the city.

Beneficiaries are liable for an application fee, intrinsic land value, illegal building penalties and property tax for the land since it was illegally settled on.

Layout plans for six settlements have since been approved by the Ministry of Local Government, as required by the law.

Some of the settlements set for regularisation in the first phase include Herbert Chitepo, near Kuwadzana Extension, Crowborough North Consortium and others in Highfield, Westwood, Westlea, Warren Park, Hatcliff (UZ), Mufakose, Marlborough, Waterfalls and Chadcombe.

Harare City Council Environmental Management Committee chairperson, Blessing Duma, said a joint EMC and Education, Health, Housing and Community Services and Licensing Committee will meet again next week to regularise more settlements.

“Wetlands, heritage sites and school areas usurped by the illegal developments will not be regularised due to their environmental sensitivity,” he said.