Tendai Gukutikwa
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
EXPERTS in spatial planning have praised Government’s recent decision to impose a moratorium on councils processing applications or issuing permits for changes in land use.
They said the move, which took effect from May 2, 2025, was meant to enforce planning principles that promote order, convenience, safety, and aesthetics, which have been increasingly disregarded by local authorities.
The latest decision by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, was prompted by a surge in applications to convert residential properties into institutional stands, and meant to regulate infrastructural developments on greenways and curb the proliferation of private schools, crèches and lodges in residential suburbs.
In a circular dated May 2, 2025, addressed to mayors and chairpersons of councils, Local Government and Public Works Minister, Honourable Daniel Garwe said the 90-day moratorium prohibits all local authorities from exercising planning powers in respect of change of reservation and change of land use.
He said the proliferation of obstructive land uses in residential areas, and the heightened public complaints against such developments, had jerked his ministry to stop councils from authorising developments until certain conditions were met.
“In the interest of the public, the Government hereby wishes to advise the nation of measures being put in place to enhance the management of the built environment in our rural and urban areas by temporarily suspending the processing of such permits while reviews are conducted by relevant authorities,” he said.
Minister Garwe said during the moratorium, councils must strengthen their development control units through staffing and provision of requisite tools of trade, enhance public consultation mechanisms to make them more effective, and enforce legal provisions, including by-laws.
In addition, the councils must strengthen monitoring of compliance with respect of various permits, and develop plans for maintenance and beautification of buffers along roads and other public spaces.
Urban planning expert, Professor Joseph Kamuzhanje said by invoking Section 69, Minister Garwe sought to ensure that developments align with approved plans and policies, maintaining the integrity of residential areas and green spaces.
Professor Kamuzhanje said this is expected to bring order to the rapid growth of private institutions and commercial activities in suburbs, wanton destruction of greenways, which has resulted in increased air pollution, reduced biodiversity, and compromised ecosystem services.
Unchecked growth of private institutions and commercial activities in suburbs triggered traffic congestion, noise pollution, and strain on local infrastructure, increased costs for residents and potential safety risks, particularly for children.
“This could be the best thing ever to happen in Zimbabwe’s spatial planning sector. As stated in the communique, the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act has provisions to address issues of change of use, subdivisions, and more.
The challenge has been enforcement.
“I have often wondered how illegal buildings are completed when local authorities have building inspectors who should ensure that developments adhere to approved master, local, layout, and site plans. Driving through any town reveals confusion due to incompatible land uses and developments in areas where they should not exist.
“There has been a complete disregard for planning principles that promote order, convenience, safety, and aesthetics. This stems from lack of appreciation for civic matters among the general populace and local authorities who have exploited this to disregard their own plans. Flouting legislative provisions, such as public consultations is common practice in many local authorities. The destruction of wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas has also been a concern, with any ‘open’ or ‘vacant’ land being targeted for development.
“Politics is often cited as the reason for this situation. However, no one is above the law. When some individuals are perceived as more equal than others, it becomes challenging to apply the law. Will the situation return to ‘normal’ after this period? I believe the Minister should publish the names of local authorities that fail to follow legal provisions, and let the law take its course, as this is contempt,” said Professor Kamuzhanje.
Harare Residents’ Trust director, Mr Precious Shumba said the moratorium shows that Minister Garwe is keenly following and monitoring developments in local authorities.
“The minister has shown that he is keenly following and monitoring developments in the local authorities. There is corruption linked to land sales, facilitated mainly through corrupt change of reservation processes.
Recreational facilities, wetlands, school and clinic sites have been illegally converted into residential and business sites without due regard to the law,” he said.
United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust (UMMRT) programmes director, Mr Edison Dube said the moratorium was aimed at curbing illegal developments in major cities.
“In our opinion, this move was primarily intended to address illegal activities in Harare. Locally, we had concerns regarding land use at Cecil Kop, which we felt was not quite right. We strongly believe that wetlands should be protected, and no changes to land use should be granted without proper due diligence,” he said, expressing reservations about the centralisation of the process.
“We are not convinced that centralising the process will work in favour of service delivery. Instead, we think policing and monitoring of local authorities’ processes would have been a more effective way to address these issues,” he said, emphasising the need for a corrective approach that considers engagement and interface between local communities and administering authorities.
Online Reporter