adminTanaka Mahanya
THE Zimbabwe National Organisation Associations and Residents Trust has called upon the Harare and Chitungwiza Council leaders to stop allocating stands on wetlands.
The organisation’s chairperson, Shalvar Chikomba said there is serious land misgovernance in Harare and Chitungwiza.
He said, allocating stands in wetlands is detrimental to the environment.
“Wetlands are essential for the environment, providing habitats for wildlife, purifying water, and protecting against floods and droughts.
“It is disheartening that Councillors and senior management have sold and invaded our wetlands and open spaces, so we call for an immediate end to this.
“The recent case in which Councillors allocated themselves commercial and industrial land and shared it among themselves, their companies and their cronies, with connivance of Council officials, is the first flash point.
“By now, we expected them to have done the honourable thing, that is to resign.”
Chikomba said allocating stands in wetlands was a short-term solution that will have long-term consequences.
“As if it’s normal, sewage bursts in most high-density suburbs have been the order of the day with Chitungwiza topping the list.
“As new housing units are being built, we call upon all local councils to upgrade their sewerage infrastructure so that service provision catches up with the growing population,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter