Post Reporter
MUTARE Rural District Council has issued a stern warning to illegal vendors and others unlawfully operating on undesignated places at rural service centres that they risk being removed or have their structures demolished in compliance with the national clean-up, restore order and safety programme.
In a blanket enforcement order issued to the public, the local authority said any developments carried out in the cited areas in contravention of the Regional, Town and Country Act will be affected.
“To all illegal vendors, owners of illegal buildings, occupiers of unauthorised workspaces, unregistered private school, crèches and churches situated in and around Zimunya Township, Odzi Township, Bezerly Bridge DSC, Chitakatira RSC, Marange RSC, all business centres and any other area from Ward One to Ward 36 of Mutare Rural District Council whereas it appears to the Mutare Rural District Council that developments in the above areas are being carried out in contravention of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act Chapter 29:12, that is erection of structures, or buildings and operations without council’s approval and whereas it appears expedient to the said Local Planning Authority to serve upon you all, being the owners and occupants of the aforesaid land and illegal building structures an order in pursuance of Section of 32 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, 1996,” reads the enforcement order.
The local authority ordered those not in compliance to discontinue the use of the occupied land, demolish all the illegal structures and restore the land to its original condition as it was before and developments.
The order will come into operation 30 days from date of the publication of the notice, added Mutare RDC.
“Unless in terms of Section 38 of the Ct an appeal is lodged within one month from the date this order is served, whereupon the operation of this order shall be suspended until such a time as the appeal is finally determined or withdrawn. Whether or not an appeal is lodged against this enforcement order by any person, Mutare Rural District Council may, in terms of Section 34 of the Act, at any time before it comes into operation serve a Prohibition Order. Prohibiting the continuation of the operation specified on this Enforcement Order,” said the local authority.
Mutare RDC gets tough on illegal operations
