Jane Mlambo| High Court of Zimbabwe has granted an order to stop the construction of a wedding venue at Hillside Park, a wetland area by a company linked to Former cabinet minister Petronella Kagonye.

According to the court order filed by Hillside Park Association who were represented by Memory Mafo of Scanlen and Holderness, Kagonye’s company named Gracious All Time Functions Private Limited was ordered to suspend all operations and remove its equipment at the site with immediate effect.

“The 1st respondent planned development on stand number 19 594 Harare Township in the District of Harare measuring 1, 0195ha also known as Hillside Wetlands is hereby declared unlawful.

“The first respondent is ordered to permanently cease all construction work related to the development and remove all machinery on the site,” reads the Court order.

Harare has been battling against invasion of wetlands by property developers, something that have worried environmental conservation activists who feel the destruction of wetlands will cause water problems in Harare including flooding and avoidable purification costs for municipalities.