adminHerald Correspondent
CHITUNGWIZA residents have blasted their local authority for continuing to turn a blind eye to developments taking place on wetlands.
This comes after a vast wetland in Zengeza 3 is being developed for residential and commercial purposes.
The developments have resulted in continuous sewer burst in the area and erratic water supplies as wetlands contribute to the provision of clean water through its tributaries that flow into Hunyani River, which provides water to Chitungwiza.
During a tour conducted last Friday by Harare Wetlands Trust and Chitungwiza Residents Trust (Chitrest), this publication witnessed developments taking place on wetlands and sewerage flowing onto most of the streets of Zengeza 3.
The residents said they suspected that council was conniving with land barons in parcelling out residential and commercial stands on wetlands.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, Chitrest coordinator Mrs Beaulah Kubalalika said they were saddened by the continuous developments taking place on wetlands.
“A lot of wetlands and open areas in Ward 8 in Zengeza have been invaded and houses are being built on the land. We do not know how these people got the stands because we know that development is not allowed on wetlands.
“Council has turned a blind eye on these developments and the settlement are unregistered. We have also established that the no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was done on the land by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA),” she said.
Mrs Kubalalika said efforts to have council relocate the occupants and have properties built on wetlands demolished have fallen on deaf ears.
Mr Admire Mutize from Chitungwiza Community Development Network echoed Mrs Kubalalika’s sentiments.
Mr Mutize attributed the invasion of wetlands to corruption at Chitungwiza municipality.
“We do not understand why our council is failing to act when stands are being parcelled out on wetlands during broad daylight. They see development taking place on the wetlands and act as if nothing is going on.
In our areas, we are experiencing continuous sewer burst, blocked toilets and a lot of problems as the developers are illegally connecting their properties to the existing water and sewer lines. This is uncalled for and council should address these issues before Chitungwiza turns into an illegal settlement,” he said.
Chitungwiza spokesperson Mr Lovemore Meya said they are looking into the issue.
“Our engineer is going on site to find out what is taking place and we will furnish you with the official position,” he said.
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