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Blessings Chidakwa
Municipal Reporter
Two families in Chitungwiza’s Zengeza 1 have built houses on the same stand, although only one has the paperwork and the cottage that was built by the second person appears to be encroaching on the road reserve.
In Mubvumira Road, even house numbers are out of sequence as the initial stand is number 17128, while the newly created is stand number 21989.
Encroachment onto the road is common, as there were in fact three other separate houses that also encroached the Hombarume Road servitude.
The first occupant Mr Suspicious Dube said his stand was invaded in 2017.
“When l bought the stand, council officials advised that a portion of the land was not suitable for construction of permanent structures,” he said.
“While in Botswana in 2017, l received a call that someone only identified as Mr Murewa was clearing part of my stand. Sooner rather than later the construction works started, meaning we now have two houses belonging to different people on one stand.”
The person only identified as Mr Murewa, who has since constructed a cottage in Mr Dube’s vicinity, said there was nothing wrong as they had since buried the hatchet.
“There was a bit of friction way back, but now we are in good books after having sorted out our differences,” he said. “I have an offer letter for the stand.”
Ironically, Mr Murewa conceded that he did not have a council lease agreement, the critical document required for one to be included in the council’s database and permits the construction of any structure.
Chitungwiza public relations manager Mr Lovemore Meya said Mr Dube should report Mr Murewa to the police as a trespasser if he has no council papers.
“ZRP normally request council to provide information to assist court processes,” he said. “In addition, one cannot claim to be the rightful owner of the property if not armed with a lease. However, both parties can approach council for remedial action.”
The land boundary dispute comes as the Harare provincial development coordinator Mr Tafadzwa Muguti issued a stern warning against residents who have extended their perimeter walls over their stand boundaries into the road reserve, saying they are required to move these.
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