malvernmugadzikwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE Harare City Council has failed to take action against property owners operating buildings in and around the central business district (CBD) that were condemned as unfit for occupation nearly seven months ago.
About 500 properties, including 14 high-rise buildings, flagged for safety violations like inadequate ventilation, lack of emergency exits and general disrepair remain open to the public.
The council estimates that around 100 000 people use these buildings daily.
Initially, property owners were given an April deadline to renovate their buildings or risk their closure.
However, nearly seven months later, little progress has been made.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Harare City Council head of corporate communications Mr Stanley Gama said: “Nothing has been done so far in the past seven months; no building has been locked, but we are in the process of doing so.
“Some buildings will be reinspected, as some have complied, and further action will be taken after a new list is compiled.”
The council recently issued a warning to property owners, urging them to bring their buildings up to standard.
In a letter dated October 14, 2024, the council said: “This serves to notify all building owners that the City of Harare has intensified inspections for fire compliance.
“Buildings which are not fire compliant will be immediately locked up.
“We, therefore, urge building owners to visit our fire brigade depot for arrangements to have their premises inspected before the compulsory inspections.
“The city will be enforcing the Fire By-Law 1968 Section 12.”
During the last round of inspections, Robin House in central Harare was cited for overcrowding, poor housekeeping, insufficient fire equipment and an unsafe layout that endangers occupants.
Bush House was similarly overcrowded, with blocked exits, insufficient fire equipment and wooden partitions that heightened the building’s fire risk.
Additional safety violations were found at Roslin House, where gangways and exits were obstructed, exposed electrical cables were visible and fire exit signs were absent.
Daventry House was also overcrowded, with blocked exit routes, while the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission headquarters at Mahachi Quantum Building lacked emergency exits, functional fire hose reels and fire extinguishers.
Online Reporter