Ivan Zhakata Suburban Reporter
RESIDENTS of Mandara have demanded that the City of Harare takes action against a brick making company, Yu Dao, operating in Chikurubi Farm, which borders their houses.
The residents through the Mandara Association of Residents and Ratepayers (MARR) have urged the City of Harare to take immediately enforce its by-laws, citing zoning violations and the environmental hazards posed by the industrial activities.
In a letter addressed to the director of the Department of Works Engineer Zvenyika Chawatama, MARR chairperson Mr Michael Musandu said the community was frustrated over the ongoing operations of the brick company.
Mr Musandu said the operations were a direct violation of the City of Harare’s town planning regulations.
“Chikurubi Farm is zoned as a public establishment under the City’s local development plan and brick-making activities are strictly prohibited in this area,” Mr Musandu said.
“The continued operation of these brick kilns is not just a legal infraction but a threat to the safety, environment and overall quality of life for the residents of Mandara. The local development plan for the area classifies brick-making as a ‘special industrial activity’ and places it under prohibited categories, meaning that the activities should not be taking place in the region at all.”
Mr Musandu said despite the clear regulations, Yu Dao continued to operate with potentially devastating consequences for both the environment and community in the Mandara area.
“The brick-making process involves harmful emissions that pollute the air, soil, and water, particularly the underground hydrological systems that supply the area,” he said.
“The environmental damage could be irreversible and future generations will suffer if we do not act now.”
In addition to the environmental risks, the residents are concerned about the brick plant’s negative impact on property values of their houses.
Mandara is known for its peaceful, upscale residential properties and the operations of the brick-making plant are seen as a disruptive force that could undermine the neighbourhood’s value and appeal.
Mr Musandu also drew the attention of the municipality authorities to the fact that the brick company’s operations were being carried out by a foreign entity which was operating with impunity, disregarding local laws and regulations.
“It is crucial that the Government and local authorities act decisively to protect the interests of the local citizens and uphold the rule of law. The actions of this foreign company are not only illegal but also disrespectful to the very fabric of our community and the legal structures that are meant to protect it.”
MARR has demanded immediate intervention from the City of Harare to halt the brick firm’s operations and prevent further environmental damage.
Mr Musandu said it was essential for the authorities to act swiftly, ensuring that the rights of the residents were not sidelined and that the rule of law was upheld.
“We are not asking for special treatment; we are simply asking for the law to be respected. Every resident deserves to live in an environment that is safe and conducive to a good quality of life,” he said.
Eng Chawatama could not be reached for a comment on why the city was failing to enforce zoning by-laws while efforts to get a comment from Yu Dao officials were also fruitless.
The residents, however, remain hopeful that swift action will be taken to resolve the issue and restore peace to their community.
Early this year, Mandara residents fought hard to stop haulage trucks delivering bricks from using the suburb’s roads and further damaging the roads.
The residents closed boom gates to block the trucks transporting bricks from the brick plant from using Mandara roads to deliver the bricks to customers.
This forced Yu Dao Bricks officials to engage the residents and the firm’s operations manager requested that the residents allow the trucks to use Mandara roads for 10 days while the company makes an access road for the trucks through Chikurubi Farm.
“Following the complaints that came to our attention regarding the use of Pringle Road by truck loads carrying bricks, we are however appealing to the residents of Mandara for YuDao Bricks to temporarily use Pringle Road for the next 10 days whilst we are constructing another road,” wrote Yu Dao Bricks managing director Yin Tang.
Mandara residents demand action over brick plant
Ivan Zhakata Suburban Reporter
RESIDENTS of Mandara have demanded that the City of Harare takes action against a brick making company, Yu Dao, operating in Chikurubi Farm, which borders their houses.
The residents through the Mandara Association of Residents and Ratepayers (MARR) have urged the City of Harare to take immediately enforce its by-laws, citing zoning violations and the environmental hazards posed by the industrial activities.
In a letter addressed to the director of the Department of Works Engineer Zvenyika Chawatama, MARR chairperson Mr Michael Musandu said the community was frustrated over the ongoing operations of the brick company.
Mr Musandu said the operations were a direct violation of the City of Harare’s town planning regulations.
“Chikurubi Farm is zoned as a public establishment under the City’s local development plan and brick-making activities are strictly prohibited in this area,” Mr Musandu said.
“The continued operation of these brick kilns is not just a legal infraction but a threat to the safety, environment and overall quality of life for the residents of Mandara. The local development plan for the area classifies brick-making as a ‘special industrial activity’ and places it under prohibited categories, meaning that the activities should not be taking place in the region at all.”
Mr Musandu said despite the clear regulations, Yu Dao continued to operate with potentially devastating consequences for both the environment and community in the Mandara area.
“The brick-making process involves harmful emissions that pollute the air, soil, and water, particularly the underground hydrological systems that supply the area,” he said.
“The environmental damage could be irreversible and future generations will suffer if we do not act now.”
In addition to the environmental risks, the residents are concerned about the brick plant’s negative impact on property values of their houses.
Mandara is known for its peaceful, upscale residential properties and the operations of the brick-making plant are seen as a disruptive force that could undermine the neighbourhood’s value and appeal.
Mr Musandu also drew the attention of the municipality authorities to the fact that the brick company’s operations were being carried out by a foreign entity which was operating with impunity, disregarding local laws and regulations.
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“It is crucial that the Government and local authorities act decisively to protect the interests of the local citizens and uphold the rule of law. The actions of this foreign company are not only illegal but also disrespectful to the very fabric of our community and the legal structures that are meant to protect it.”
MARR has demanded immediate intervention from the City of Harare to halt the brick firm’s operations and prevent further environmental damage.
Mr Musandu said it was essential for the authorities to act swiftly, ensuring that the rights of the residents were not sidelined and that the rule of law was upheld.
“We are not asking for special treatment; we are simply asking for the law to be respected. Every resident deserves to live in an environment that is safe and conducive to a good quality of life,” he said.
Eng Chawatama could not be reached for a comment on why the city was failing to enforce zoning by-laws while efforts to get a comment from Yu Dao officials were also fruitless.
The residents, however, remain hopeful that swift action will be taken to resolve the issue and restore peace to their community.
Early this year, Mandara residents fought hard to stop haulage trucks delivering bricks from using the suburb’s roads and further damaging the roads.
The residents closed boom gates to block the trucks transporting bricks from the brick plant from using Mandara roads to deliver the bricks to customers.
This forced Yu Dao Bricks officials to engage the residents and the firm’s operations manager requested that the residents allow the trucks to use Mandara roads for 10 days while the company makes an access road for the trucks through Chikurubi Farm.
“Following the complaints that came to our attention regarding the use of Pringle Road by truck loads carrying bricks, we are however appealing to the residents of Mandara for YuDao Bricks to temporarily use Pringle Road for the next 10 days whilst we are constructing another road,” wrote Yu Dao Bricks managing director Yin Tang.
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