Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has come under pressure to act on the continued invasion of wetlands, particularly in Harare, due to an increase in irregular construction.
International Labour Organisation (ILO) senior communications and information management officer Mrs Maria Mutandwa appealed to Minister Daniel Garwe for immediate intervention.
She raised the issue while delivering remarks on behalf of the ILO director for Zimbabwe and Namibia Mrs Philile Masuka during a workshop on the Construction Contractors Bill 2025 held in Harare on Thursday.
The ILO is the chief consultant working with the Ministry on the Bill.
“I am now speaking as a Zimbabwean to our Honourable Minister. Minister, we have received various reports regarding construction on wetlands.
“Your office has been open to suggestions and accommodating citizens who have approached you about this troubling matter.
“As a citizen, I implore you to intervene in areas with irregular construction and numerous infractions of construction laws and the by-laws of the city regarding building on wetlands and undesignated land.
“I sincerely appeal to you to make such interventions, Minister,” said Mrs Mutandwa.
In response, Minister Garwe acknowledged the concerns and indicated his readiness to engage on the matter.
“I hope we can sit down and discuss how to address the wetland issues. Construction on wetlands reflects unbecoming behaviour,” he said.
Mrs Mutandwa also expressed satisfaction with the ILO’s involvement in the consultative process of the Bill and pledged the organisation’s support towards establishing a robust regulatory framework for the construction sector.
“As we all know, the construction sector is more than just bricks and mortar.
“It is the bedrock of our economies and a major source of jobs and livelihoods. It builds the country’s infrastructure—the roads that drive economic development, the schools where our children learn, the hospitals where we seek medical care, and the homes where we build our lives.
“However, for this sector to reach its full potential, it must be built on a foundation of strong legal frameworks, professionalism and most importantly decent working environments that generate mutually beneficial outcomes for all,” she said.
The ILO warned that the absence of a comprehensive legal framework for the sector could lead to fragmented oversight and inconsistent standards, threatening infrastructure quality, fair competition and worker welfare.
