Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Herald Reporter
THE City of Harare has warned property owners in Ward 7 and across the capital that all developments must comply with approved plans, land-use conditions and other council requirements.
Speaking at a Ward 7 feedback meeting on Monday, City of Harare head of development control Mr James Mazvimba said council was required to take enforcement action where property owners contravene planning regulations.
“On private property contravention, we are expected in terms of Sections 32, 34 and 35 of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act to serve those people with enforcement orders,” he said.
“Enforcement orders are a process. It starts by writing that person a letter advising them of the contravention.
“If they don’t take the necessary correction or remedial action, we are expected to escalate the issue to council level, where we will obtain a resolution in terms of enforcement, prohibition and demolition orders.
“Where we have obtained a council resolution, we serve that person. They are given 21 days to rectify the problem. If they fail to do so, the regional inspector mobilises his team and does the needful in terms of removal or stopping the use.”
He said property owners had a right to appeal against an enforcement order in terms of Section 38 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act.
“By and large, we expect that from the first letter to the actual enforcement, within three months, we should have carried out the enforcement, be it stopping the use, removal of unapproved structures, etc,” he said.
Dog licensing
Mr Mazvimba also warned residents that dogs must be licensed in accordance with the council’s dog licensing by-laws.
“Each one must license their pet with the city council. SPCA and an exercise will be undertaken to make sure all dogs are licensed,” he said.
He said stray dogs remained a challenge in some areas and that the regional inspector and his team were working with the SPCA to address the problem.
“We had an unfortunate incident in Westgate where someone was mauled to death by these pets,” he said.
“So that is an exercise that is coming to ensure compliance, to ensure that everyone is within the confines of the by-laws.”
Mr Mazvimba also said bicycles were required to be licensed, adding that council was considering reviving enforcement operations targeting cyclists.
“We are looking at resuscitating or having a blitz looking at those cycling home, as was done way back,” he said.
