Chitown to repossess, reallocate stands

Audrey Galawu

Chitungwiza Municipality has resolved to repossess and reallocate industrial stands mostly due to lease agreement breaches by the current owners.

The repossession will be effected within 21 days from the last date of publication.

“Notice is hereby given in terms of section 152(2) of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) as read with Clause 15 of the Municipality of Chitungwiza to repossess and reallocate the industrial stands listed hereunder to other applicants.

“The previous allottees have been found to be in breach of the Municipality’s conditions of allocation in one way or the other,” reads the statement.

Most of the affected industrial areas are in the Masanga industrial areas and this is due to underdevelopment.

Chitungwiza Acting Town Clerk Evangelista Machona said those who have any objections are required to communicate with the council within 21 days of notice.

“We intend to repossess all the stands as advertised. However, the law requires us to advertise in at least two issues of the newspaper for a period of 21 working days before we ultimately repossess.

“This is to allow interested parties ample time to put their objections if any. After 21-day period, we shall proceed to allocate to new beneficiaries in accordance with the Law and Council policy,” she said.

Chitungwiza Residents Trust president Alice Kuvheya said the council should not politicise land re-allocation when they do so.

“It is good that the municipality is delisting some of these stands but they should not lease the stands on basis of political parties.

“The problem is these lands are being politicised when they are being given. There is nothing happening at most of these industries, instead, council should allocate land to potential developers who can improve these stands and employ our people.