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Municipal Reporter
Government is set to give each local authority the number of housing units and residential stands they are required to parcel out this year in line with the economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.Under Zim-Asset, it is envisaged that Government will provide 125 000 housing units to low-income earners.
Speaking during a meeting with mayors, chairpersons and town clerks in Harare yesterday, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo said officials from his ministry will circulate papers to each council outlining what is expected of them.
“In line with the Zim-Asset document, we are expecting to deliver a specific number of houses annually as part of our mandate and we have done all necessary work,” he said.
“We are coming to local authorities to give each local authority the number of housing units that they must erect this year into next year.
“We are also going to give you specific numbers of stands that you should aim to make available to your people. Rules and regulations will be announced. We will not tolerate building on unserviced lands and we are going to work with banks, insurance companies and other partners to make sure they become the funding agencies and that title deeds will be issued by the funding agency.”
Dr Chombo said Government was concerned with the mushrooming of illegal settlements across the country and urged authorities to enforce the necessary by-laws.
He said the Urban Councils’ Act and the Regional Town and Planning Act were clear on local authorities’ mandate relating to local planning and development control.
“It is baffling to note that these are being continuously flouted for reasons one can only assume to be financial, personal or political expedience,” said Dr Chombo.
He said the mayors and chairpersons of councils were elected to serve all the people in their respective local authorities.
“The tendency by some to earn political influence compromising proper structural planning is simply unacceptable,” said Dr Chombo.
“We have heard numerous cases of land barons who are busy parcelling out both municipal and State land. The mere fact that this is happening right under your noses is an indication that you either condone those actions or you are accomplices or you are busy chasing after other interests when your council is unattended to.”
Dr Chombo said everyone wishing to erect a building should do so within the provisions of the by-laws of the local authority concerned and with their supervision at all stages of construction.
He said those who defy the procedure should be apprehended and brought to book.
Dr Chombo said local authorities should get court orders to remove people from illegal settlements and where there is resistance to court orders, they should liaise with State security agents.
Online Reporter