Harare warns illegal settlers

Settling on wetlands is a threat to the provision of water

Bridget Mabanda

The City of Harare has said it will not entertain any persons or individuals who settle themselves on municipal land without its consent.

In a notice, the council said no one besides council and government (State land) has the mandate to distribute any land for any purpose.

It said there has been an influx of land invasions in and around the city on wetlands and land meant for other purposes.

“City of Harare and government are the only land authorities in Harare. As Council, we sympathise with residents who chose to listen to land barons instead of Council, which controls development in its area of jurisdiction,” reads the notice.

The council added that anyone who chooses to build without its approval would be throwing their investments down the drain.

It said the land being invaded is earmarked for schools, business centres while some of it is unsuitable for construction work.

The council said it is determined to bring order in Harare and to restore the invaded land to its planned use.

“Wetlands are being invaded and parcelled out as housing land. The city is buoyed by government support against land invasions and will ensure that all land is properly planned for and is used for what it is zoned for,” reads the notice.

The council urged residents and home seekers to visit the District Offices and Rememberance Drive offices in Mbare to make inquiries on any housing development project in the city.

Government, in June last year, issued an ultimatum to land barons who were invading wetlands, greenways and areas reserved for national development in and around Harare, saying the illegal structures would be pulled down while the barons would be arrested.

The latest invasions of wetlands and greenways were taking place around the areas that include the internationally recognised Monavale vlei and spaces around Mbare that were earmarked for urban renewal development projects.

The preservation and protection of wetlands is critical in the provision of water hence the incessant calls for their preservation.