Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
HARARE Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume has said council is still working with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works on the lifting of the moratorium on planning activities placed by the Ministry.
Cllr Mafume told a full council meeting last week that the city has gone a long way to fulfill the conditions that they were given for the lifting of the moratorium.
“I think we are almost there in terms of our discussions with the Ministry. Please bear with us as we work on the issues that are related to planning,” he said.
The Government, in May this year, issued a 90-day moratorium on all local authorities, barring them from processing or approving any applications related to change of land use or reservation aimed at curbing unplanned and incompatible developments in residential areas.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the moratorium was in response to a surge in public complaints over the growing number of intrusive and unsuitable developments springing up in neighbourhoods originally zoned for residential purposes.
He said the temporary freeze was meant to allow for a comprehensive review of land use management procedures across the country and to give planning authorities time to strengthen their capacity to enforce regulations
Minister Garwe said this was crucial to maintaining order and harmony in the built environment.
