Suburban
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
THE City of Harare says it will take action on the illegal structure which was recently erected at a recreational facility in Ward 16 at the corner of Quendon and Sherwood Drive Park.
In a statement, Ward 16 Councillor Denford Ngadziore assured residents that council was aware of the development and they were taking all the appropriate steps to remove the illegal structure. He said the place will remain a recreational facility.
“We have taken note of the illegal structure erected at corner Quendon and Sherwood Drive Park. I have assigned the acting district officer so that the structure can be removed as soon as possible. The City of Harare Development Control Unit will ensure that the space is cleared. The space will remain as a community recreation facility,” said Cllr Denford Ngadziore.
Zimbabwe Combined Residents and Ratepayers Association (ZICORRA) provincial chairperson for Harare Mr Lawrence Kuleya applauded council for noting the problem. He urged the local authority to put heavy fines for such actions to deter law breakers from even thinking of erecting an illegal structure.
“I recently passed through and I saw the structure. This is really bad and I am glad council is doing something about it. I believe it’s high time council puts up more restrictive fines, which are so high that no one will ever think of invading or putting up a structure on any urban open space ever again. In developed nations the fines for this are very high that one doesn’t even consider erecting structures anywhere. That’s why they don’t have this problem. Even homelessness is not entertained in their urban areas and they even do jail time if they can’t pay the fines,” said Mr Kuleya.
The City of Harare has been struggling to control illegal structures that have sprouted across most suburbs some of which are now breeding grounds for illicit activities such as drug dealings and crime.
