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HARARE Metropolitan province has embarked on a 45-day operation to demolish illegal structures on wetlands in and around the capital.
The exercise code named “Operation Zero Tolerance to Environmental Crimes” will be conducted in Harare, Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Epworth with the assistance of the police.
The campaign is expected to run until December 15.
Each local authority will be expected to provide both material and human resources for the operation.
Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary, Tafadzwa Muguti, said Government was aware of the illegal activities some councils are involved in.
“We are aware that our councils are actively involved in parcelling out land in wetlands,” he said.
“All housing developments in wetlands shall be stopped, with all cases of purchase or award of such land being reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.”
He said the provincial blitz will target institutions, shop owners, companies, vendors, public transporters, actual passengers and the general citizenry who violate statutory requirements.
In a notice, Chitungwiza acting town clerk, Evangelista Machona, said they had been asked to provide 80 municipal police officers for the exercise.
“The operation is a response to concerns raised by the Presidium over increased environmental crimes in Harare province,” she said.
“The operation is specifically focusing on four environmental issues; solid waste management, invasion of wetlands, illegal sand abstraction and illegal brick-moulding and emissions.”
In addition to the 80 municipal police, Chitungwiza council was also asked for 10 tipper trucks, three front-end loaders, five compactors and fuel.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter