Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
TWENTY-THREE out of 41 property developers and developments registered by Zvimba Rural District Council are non-compliant with infrastructure obligations, exposing a major failure to meet development requirements in the district.
The 23 cases represent 56 percent of the developers and property entries on the council’s register, according to a report prepared by chief executive officer Mr Enias Chidakwa for the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
Eight developments, representing 20 percent, are partially compliant, while seven (17 percent) are fully compliant and have received completion certification.
The figures highlight the scale of non-compliance confronting the council as it grapples with stalled developments, inadequate infrastructure delivery and informal settlements.
The report was prepared for the committee’s inquiry into the implementation of the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy.
Zvimba, which is peri-urban to Harare, has experienced high demand for residential stands, resulting in a proliferation of both formally sanctioned developments and unauthorised or informally regularised settlements.
“Zvimba Rural District, being peri-urban to Harare, continues to experience high demand for residential stands.
“This has resulted in a proliferation of both formally sanctioned land developments and unauthorised or informally regularised settlements,” said the report.
Council has identified seven priority dysfunctional settlements and three informal settlements requiring intervention.
The dysfunctional settlements include Darwendale Kop-Zimunhu, Lilfordia involving Blackdawn and DATCO, Granary-Livre, Lot 12 and 14 Spitzkop involving Vevhu Resources, and Lot 1 of Spitzkop involving PPG.
The informal settlements are Porta and Penrose, associated with ZEVIC, and Ingwe, an invaded settlement on property owned by the City of Harare within Zvimba district.
Council defines dysfunctional settlements as developments that have, or previously had, development or sub-division permits, but where implementation has stalled, permits have lapsed, or infrastructure delivery does not match levies collected from residents.
Informal settlements include occupations established without proper planning permission, including through land invasion or occupation facilitated outside the council’s approval processes.
