Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu-Zimpapers Reporter
GOVERNMENT has issued immediate abatement orders to building owners with dilapidated or otherwise undesirable structures across all 92 local authorities, requiring them to repair and maintain their properties and surrounding areas to the satisfaction of the relevant local authorities.
The directive seeks to improve the built environment nationwide and applies to shopping centres, business complexes, industrial properties, office buildings, churches and other places of worship, plus private homes.
Addressing a Press conference at his offices in Harare yesterday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the measures compelled responsible citizens to carry out the necessary repairs, renovations, repainting, cleaning, refurbishment and other works required to restore buildings and their surroundings to acceptable standards.
The initiative is aligned with the national goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Minister Garwe said any person who fails to comply with the abatement orders may be liable to a fine not exceeding Level 5, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or both according to the applicable legislation.
He noted that the decision follows the continued deterioration of the built environment, including the condition of roads, street lighting, shopping complexes, public buildings, and other public spaces across all local authorities in the country.
The Minister said the solution is not the responsibility of local authorities and Government alone, but also that of citizens and residents in every local authority.
Zimbabwe has 92 local authorities, comprising 32 urban councils and 60 rural district councils.
“We are currently witnessing rampant breaking of local by-laws by both individuals and organisations. People are trading in undesignated places. Others are building properties without inspections or approvals, let alone owning the land on which they are building. Still others are using inappropriate materials, including plastic and substandard alternatives.”
To address the situation, the Ministry directed local authorities to intensify enforcement of existing by-laws and regulations governing workers and vendors, business licensing, property maintenance, development, and the use of premises, as well as respect for public spaces.”
He also cited Chapter 2, Sections 48 and 49 of the Model By-laws of 1977, read together with other applicable legislation and statutory instruments, noting that property owners and occupiers are responsible for ensuring that their premises are maintained in a safe, structurally sound, sanitary, orderly, and acceptable condition.
“In accordance with Section 36, Subsection 4 of the Housing Standards Control Act, Chapter 2908, all local authorities are directed to initiate processes for the issuance of abatement orders against property owners and occupiers whose buildings, boundary walls, pavements, yards, and surrounding areas are unsafe, unsanitary, dilapidated, deplorable, or otherwise in an unacceptable and intolerable state,” he said.
Minister Garwe said an abatement order is a legal directive requiring a property owner or occupier to remedy specified conditions within the period prescribed by law.
“This means that as property owners, you are expected to maintain your buildings and surrounding areas. You must ensure that the environment is modern, safe and pleasant,” he said.
He said this includes painting buildings, renovating properties and modernising premises to ensure safety and improve appearance for neighbouring structures.
“With immediate effect, abatement orders shall be issued to all building owners with dilapidated or undesirable buildings across all 92 local authorities.
“They shall cover shopping centres, business complexes, industrial properties, office buildings, churches and other places of worship, as well as private homes.”
Enforcement would be carried out without delay, adding that failure to comply may attract penalties under the law.
“These measures are intended to compel responsible citizens to undertake the immediate necessary repairs, renovations, repainting, cleaning, refurbishment and other works required to restore buildings and their surroundings to acceptable standards in line with our desire to become an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 added Minister Garwe.
Minister Garwe also directed planning authorities to intensify enforcement against illegal and unregulated developments.
He cited the Regional Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 29:04, including Sections 32 and 34, noting that local planning authorities have powers to act against unauthorised development and unlawful building works within their jurisdictions.
“Planning authorities are required to ensure that developments comply with approved plans, planning requirements, and applicable laws.
“Where illegal developments or unauthorised building modifications are identified, enforcement orders will be issued requiring the responsible persons to stop, rectify, or remedy the unlawful development.”
Those who contravene relevant provisions of the law may face penalties, including fines or imprisonment for up to one year, as provided for under the applicable legislation.
According to the Minister, the issuance of abatement and enforcement orders forms part of the broader National Cleanup Campaign, which seeks to restore cleanliness, orderliness, safety, and functionality across cities and towns.
The ongoing cleanup operation, including the removal of vendors and others operating from undesignated areas, would continue alongside these enforcement measures.
Local authorities were directed to immediately modify and renovate old vending sites and ensure that they are habitable and safe for vendors to operate from.
The Ministry would soon release amended vendors’ by-laws for all local authorities, which will provide modern licensing and control mechanisms for third-party-owned vending and trading places.
“The by-laws will also increase penalties and allow local authorities to license workers, vendors, and any third-party-owned vending sites in a more sustainable, equitable, and transparent manner,” Minister Garwe said.
He advised affected workers and vendors to approach their local authorities and apply for vending space and vending permits.
Licensing remained the sole and lawful responsibility of local authorities.
“No space barons should be considered as an authority. The days of space barons, associations, and other organisations controlling vending spaces are long gone and shall never be tolerated by this Government ever again.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, said the initiative forms part of Government’s broader commitment to ensure that cities and towns are properly planned, effectively managed, and able to provide a conducive environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.
He also announced operating hours for vendors.
“But with immediate effect, vending within all central business districts is now limited to 6 am to 6 pm. That is across all 92 local authorities. Vending within the residential communities will then be allowed from 6 am to 8 pm.
“After 6 pm we don’t expect to see anyone doing vending within any business district. And after 8 pm, we don’t expect to see any vending within residential communities”.
On his part, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume said the council would own up to its roles and align with Government’s directive to restore order in cities.
“We as urban authorities have to own up and put up our hands to say that we must do better and we need to do better in terms of enforcing cleanliness.
“We are aligned to President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which targets to be a middle-income country by 2030 and part of that vision has to be carried through by the cities, and they can only do that through cleanliness, through the by-laws, through following what has been said and we have reiterated over time that cleanliness does not chase away investors. It’s actually a dirty environment that chases away investors,” he said.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works launched Operation Chenesa last week, with Harare receiving particular attention as it is the largest city.
However, this programme will cascade to all cities and towns and local authorities across the country.
