Harare Residents Reject Demolition Costs: “We Won’t Pay for Council’s Mistake”

By Lynette Manzini

Harare residents are pushing back against yet another cost being added to their bills—this time due to the controversial approval of a double-story building constructed too close to the road.

The residents insist that an investigation into how the building was approved must take place before they are burdened with compensation costs.

The building, located at the corner of Alpes Road and Grands Road, is set to be demolished after city officials admitted they mistakenly approved its construction, despite it encroaching onto the road.

During the building’s construction in 2022, local residents raised concerns about its proximity to the road, but their objections were ignored.

Now, the council has decided to demolish the structure. However, the building owner must be compensated—and that cost is set to be passed on to the residents.

This compensation fee comes on top of the recently introduced US$144 million Chinese loan, meant to improve water supply and sewage reticulation in the city. Residents will contribute to this loan through monthly payments over a 10-year period.

This situation has been condemned by Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) chairperson David Pasipanodya.

“We affirm that residents and ratepayers of Harare cannot bear the consequences and cost of this gross incompetence and maladministration within the City of Harare planning division with disciplinary action.

“The Vainona case is similar to other construction activities that have been approved by the local authorities in ecologically sensitive areas (Wetlands) gazetted by the government of Zimbabwe across the country.

“We suspect there were some underhand dealings relating to this matter, hence we call the local authority to conduct an urgent investigation on this matter,” said Pasipanodya.

CHRA is also calling for the formation of a special investigative committee and insists that councillors must fulfill their oversight responsibilities.

The case of the double-story building adds to a growing list of scandals that have rocked the City of Harare.

This development follows the conclusion of a commission of inquiry, established by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to investigate Harare City Council’s operations from 2017 onwards.