Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza [email protected]
BULAWAYO is not developing a “Smart City” in Cowdray Park and parts of three other suburbs, with the city council warning residents against buying residential stands advertised on social media by unscrupulous developers, while maintaining that the city remains committed to ensuring land and property within its jurisdiction are administered transparently, lawfully and accountably.
Social media advertisements claim the purported “Smart City” will be developed by private developers in Cowdray Park, portions of Norwood, Richmond and Helenvale but the council maintains that development of that land falls under the jurisdiction and administration of the Bulawayo City Council (BCC).
“The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public that it has noted, with concern, a number of ill-informed social media posts and communication circulating about an alleged ‘Smart
City’ development purported to take place in Cowdray Park, including claims about the sale of residential stands.
“Council wishes to clarify that jurisdiction and administration of Cowdray Park Township, Norwood
Township, Richmond, and portions of Helenvale Block fall within the City of Bulawayo’s jurisdiction and administration. Accordingly, council remains responsible for administering municipal services, planning and development in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, said in a statement.
Council has maintained that it has no connection whatsoever with the purported “Smart City” project being promoted by alleged private developers on municipal land.
“Members of the public are, therefore, urged not to assume that any advertisements, social media posts, promotional material or offers relating to the purported development have been issued, endorsed or authorised by the City of Bulawayo.
“Council has not issued any subdivision or development permit for the purported ‘Smart City’ development. Members of the public should, therefore, exercise extreme caution when engaging with individuals or entities offering stands for sale or making representations about the purported development on Council.”
Last year in September council also issued a warning to three property developers accused of selling unserviced stands in Umganin Phase IV, saying the practice violated BCC regulations and put desperate home seekers at risk of losing money.
BCC named three contractors — Veluntina Investments (Pvt) Ltd, Cabin Lock Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd t/a Cabin Lock Construction, and Heavenview Properties (Pvt) Ltd — as parties that signed service agreements with the city for the development of residential stands in the area.
Under the agreements, the companies are required to fully fund the servicing of the stands before offering them for sale. Council said it had received reports that some stands were being sold before roads, sewerage, water and other services were completed and officially commissioned.
The local authority also warned members of the public to exercise extreme caution when buying residential stands, saying those who pay for land under illegal arrangements risk losing their investments if service agreements are cancelled.
The warnings come at a time when Bulawayo faces high demand for residential land.
Bulawayo has a housing waiting list of more than 160 000 applicants, a backlog that has persisted for decades due to limited serviced land and slow housing development.
The crisis has created fertile ground for land barons and unscrupulous developers who exploit desperate home seekers by selling unserviced or illegally acquired stands.
In recent years, the council has had to clamp down on such practices, warning that unregulated sales not only prejudice residents but also stall proper urban planning and service delivery.
