Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere-Senior Reporter
THE Government has outlawed the practice of “parallel development”, directing that no houses should be built or occupied before essential infrastructure such as roads and water, sewer and drainage systems has been fully installed and certified by local authorities.
The move marks a major shift in housing policy aimed at restoring orderly urban development and curbing the growth of poorly serviced settlements.
The authorities say such practices had resulted from years of illegal land sales, weak planning enforcement and the widespread practice of allowing construction before land is properly serviced.
Addressing journalists last week, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the Government’s position on housing development was unequivocal and applied to all cities, municipalities, towns and rural district councils.
“There is no such thing as parallel development, where people are being asked to build houses while servicing of roads, water and sewer is still taking place. We don’t have such a thing,” said Minister Garwe.
“We are following the first principles of planning and development. Whether development is undertaken by local authorities themselves, Government or private developers, proper planning must be done first. The roads, water and sewer must be constructed before anything else is built, and the local authority must issue the developer with a certificate of compliance, which then empowers the developer to sell the developed stands.”
A certificate of compliance is issued only after a local authority has confirmed that all essential infrastructure required under approved subdivision plans has been completed to the required standards.
Allowing construction before servicing is complete, he added, undermines planning laws, creates long-term service delivery challenges and places an unnecessary financial burden on local authorities and residents who later have to retrofit basic infrastructure.
Illegal land sales
Minister Garwe also announced a renewed offensive against illegal land sales, commonly known as “sabhuku deals”, where individuals without legal ownership or authority sell land to unsuspecting home seekers.
He warned that the Government was finalising a Statutory Instrument to strengthen enforcement against illegal land transactions and prosecute everyone involved.
“The Government policy on urban development is very clear. We strongly discourage the construction of houses on illegal land or land that has been processed illegally by institutions or individuals, whether in municipalities, cities, towns or rural district councils,” he said.
“We must follow proper planning processes. This idea of being sold a piece of land by an individual who does not own or have title to that land is not only criminal but is going to attract severe penalties.
“We are not going to continue entertaining the development of informal settlements in this country. Sabhuku deals must come to a grinding halt, with no apologies to make.
“We discourage people from buying from these individuals. It is now a punishable offence.
“We are putting in place a Statutory In El Niño threat strument to ensure that the transacting partners will be brought before a competent court.”
Minister Garwe also defended the ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Harare South, saying the exercise was being carried out in compliance with court orders and that Government could not interfere with judicial decisions.
He said the City of Harare obtained the court orders several years ago and affected residents had been given sufficient time to comply.
“We understand the City of Harare obtained some court orders four or five years ago and they gave the people in Harare South enough time for them to be able to remove whatever they had, but people ignored them,” he said.
“Once the courts have decided, we cannot interfere as the Executive. You are very much aware of the separation of powers.”
The Government’s latest position forms part of broader efforts to restore orderly urban planning following years of rapid urban expansion, increasing housing demand and the proliferation of informal settlements.
Over the past two decades, Zimbabwe has experienced a significant housing backlog, prompting the emergence of numerous private land developers and housing cooperatives.
In many cases, residential stands were sold before developers had installed roads, sewer systems, water reticulation, stormwater drainage and other essential services.
This practice, commonly referred to as parallel development, allowed home construction to proceed simultaneously with, or, in many instances, well ahead of the servicing of land.
While it enabled quicker access to housing, many developments remained without basic infrastructure for years, creating serious public health, environmental and governance challenges.
Mukudzei Chingwere
Senior Reporter
THE Government has outlawed the practice of “parallel development”, directing that no houses should be built or occupied before essential infrastructure such as roads and water, sewer and drainage systems has been fully installed and certified by local authorities.
The move marks a major shift in housing policy aimed at restoring orderly urban development and curbing the growth of poorly serviced settlements.
The authorities say such practices had resulted from years of illegal land sales, weak planning enforcement and the widespread practice of allowing construction before land is properly serviced.
Addressing journalists last week, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the Government’s position on housing development was unequivocal and applied to all cities, municipalities, towns and rural district councils.
“There is no such thing as parallel development, where people are being asked to build houses while servicing of roads, water and sewer is still taking place. We don’t have such a thing,” said Minister Garwe.
“We are following the first principles of planning and development. Whether development is undertaken by local authorities themselves, Government or private developers, proper planning must be done first. The roads, water and sewer must be constructed before anything else is built, and the local authority must issue the developer with a certificate of compliance, which then empowers the developer to sell the developed stands.”
A certificate of compliance is issued only after a local authority has confirmed that all essential infrastructure required under approved subdivision plans has been completed to the required standards.
Allowing construction before servicing is complete, he added, undermines planning laws, creates long-term service delivery challenges and places an unnecessary financial burden on local authorities and residents who later have to retrofit basic infrastructure.
Illegal land sales
Minister Garwe also announced a renewed offensive against illegal land sales, commonly known as “sabhuku deals”, where individuals without legal ownership or authority sell land to unsuspecting home seekers.
He warned that the Government was finalising a Statutory Instrument to strengthen enforcement against illegal land transactions and prosecute everyone involved.
“The Government policy on urban development is very clear. We strongly discourage the construction of houses on illegal land or land that has been processed illegally by institutions or individuals, whether in municipalities, cities, towns or rural district councils,” he said.
“We must follow proper planning processes. This idea of being sold a piece of land by an individual who does not own or have title to that land is not only criminal but is going to attract severe penalties.
“We are not going to continue entertaining the development of informal settlements in this country. Sabhuku deals must come to a grinding halt, with no apologies to make.
“We discourage people from buying from these individuals. It is now a punishable offence.
“We are putting in place a Statutory In El Niño threat strument to ensure that the transacting partners will be brought before a competent court.”
Minister Garwe also defended the ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Harare South, saying the exercise was being carried out in compliance with court orders and that Government could not interfere with judicial decisions.
He said the City of Harare obtained the court orders several years ago and affected residents had been given sufficient time to comply.
“We understand the City of Harare obtained some court orders four or five years ago and they gave the people in Harare South enough time for them to be able to remove whatever they had, but people ignored them,” he said.
“Once the courts have decided, we cannot interfere as the Executive. You are very much aware of the separation of powers.”
The Government’s latest position forms part of broader efforts to restore orderly urban planning following years of rapid urban expansion, increasing housing demand and the proliferation of informal settlements.
Over the past two decades, Zimbabwe has experienced a significant housing backlog, prompting the emergence of numerous private land developers and housing cooperatives.
In many cases, residential stands were sold before developers had installed roads, sewer systems, water reticulation, stormwater drainage and other essential services.
This practice, commonly referred to as parallel development, allowed home construction to proceed simultaneously with, or, in many instances, well ahead of the servicing of land.
While it enabled quicker access to housing, many developments remained without basic infrastructure for years, creating serious public health, environmental and governance challenges.
Tinaye Agere