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Grading of roads resumes on Willies Dam wetland

07 Jan, 2022 - 00:01 0 Views
Grading of roads resumes on Willies Dam wetland The demolished houses which were built on the Russell Avenue wetland in Greendale.

Suburban

Suburban Reporter 

DEVELOPMENT of housing stands near Willies Dam in Greendale appears to be continuing despite residents opposing the building of houses on wetlands.

According to reports from residents, roads were being constructed alongside the Willies Dam water channel in preparation for the building of houses on the wetland.

Reacting to the City of Harare warning to residents against growing maize on wetlands, Greendale residents accused council of double standards because it was concerned with slashing maize grown on wetlands but allowing building of permanent structures such as houses on the wetlands.

Residents were disgusted by the fact that the City of Harare does not take action against house owners who built on wetlands but is quick to punish those who cultivate on the wetlands.

Greendale residents said the construction of the roads began last month with excavators being seen grading roads to develop stands where houses will soon be built if the developers are not stopped in time.

The building of houses on wetlands in Greendale has been continuing despite a High Court order that the properties should be demolished. 

Around August 2020, the houses on the Latimer wetlands were facing demolition after lawyers advised the City of Harare that the demolitions could be carried out as per the terms of the court order. 

But the demolition order has not been effected and residents of Greendale are frustrated over the continued building of houses on the Latimer wetlands, which have recently extended to the open space opposite Willies Dam.  

A concerned resident commented in 2020:

 “We really do have an immense problem with the continuation of building on the wetlands opposite Willies Dam. 

‘‘Roads have been bull dozed straight through where our water catchment area is. 

“More buildings are being built and the roads have been made — dirt roads, but roads all the same and straight through the wetlands. One can only assume that council is allowing this to happen, and that they are taking bribes as this is surely a prohibited area to build? Maybe we get an investigation moving as to who is responsible for this.” 

Residents said they needed to protect their water sources as they are already enduring water shortages. 

Fears were also expressed that when it rains, there will no catchment and through way for the water if the developers are allowed to continue to build on the wetland.

Another resident said: “True never mind the long term repercussions but they are closing drains without taking any due care to how water will flow during rainy season. 

The (owners of the) old houses are going to (suffer) floods but no one seems to want to take responsibility for what is happening at Environmental Management Agency (EMA) or anywhere else.”

Other residents were of the view that they need a strategy because the owners of the new stands will have all their paperwork and approvals for the properties they are building. 

“Can we rely on our residents’ association (Greendale Residents and Ratepayers Association), Councillor and Member Parliament to raise dust and noise? Because it seems all our petitions and other efforts are just falling on deaf ears as the blatant lawlessness continues.  We are in trouble from this lack of foresight.”

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