Old Alex Park leads campaign against commercialisation of residential areas

IN A bold act of community activism, residents of Old Alexandra Park, Harare, have united to reclaim their beloved suburb from encroaching commercialisation.

Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter

Jolted by a burning desire to preserve the residential charm of their neighbourhood, the Old Alexandra Park Residents Association has confronted the Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe over advertisements classifying the suburb as a commercial centre.

The Old Alexandra Park Residents Association issued a stern warning to estate agents demanding that they cease misleading advertising of commercial properties in residentially zoned areas.

The residents’ association claims that such advertising is not only in violation of city by-laws but also unethical and misleading to prospective buyers.

According to the City of Harare’s Avondale Development Plan Number 39, that also covers Old Alexandra Park, only three streets in Old Alexandra Park – Downie Avenue, Sam Nujoma Street (Second Street Extension), and Churchill Avenue – are designated for low-impact commercial offices with a maximum height of two storeys. The rest of the neighbourhood is strictly residential.

In a letter addressed to the estate agents, the residents’ association highlighted the potential legal consequences that unsuspecting buyers may face if they buy properties advertised as commercial but are actually zoned for residential use.

“The purpose of this letter is to clarify the suburb’s legal status in order to ensure that this inaccurate advertising no longer happens. Therefore, advertising residential properties in Old Alexandra Park as commercial is not only in contravention of the city by-laws but is unethical and misleading,” the residents wrote.

The residents’ association emphasised that they are taking the matter seriously and are working closely with their legal team, city officials, and senior Government officials to pursue legal action against estate agents found responsible for misleading advertising or providing incorrect information to potential buyers.

Furthermore, the residents’ association plans to report all misleading online advertisements and remove any signs advertising commercial properties in residentially zoned areas.

They also intend to report estate agents involved in unethical conduct to the Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe.

“We request that as an estate agent you assume your professional and legal responsibility to the residents and to the law. All misleading advertisements online will be reported and all signs advertising commercial properties in residentially zoned areas will be removed. Also, all agents involved will be reported for unethical conduct to the Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe who strongly supports our cause,” reads the letter.

Residents of Old Alexandra Park have expressed concern over the negative impact of commercialisation in residential areas that breeds an increase in crime, degradation of road infrastructure, loss of green areas, overstretching of sewer infrastructure and depletion of the water table. The residents emphasised the importance of preserving the area’s residential character and maintaining the quality of life for the long-standing community.

The residents’ association is inviting estate agents to engage in further discussions with itself, the City of Harare and their legal representatives to address the issue.