By Own Correspondent
Chitungwiza residents have expressed shock over the latest move by their local authority for homeowners and businesses to regularize their precast walls or pay fines ranging between $150 and $200 or have them demolished.
According to a notice issued by Chitungwiza municipality Acting Town Clerk, Japson Nemuseso dated 27 January 2024, homeowners and businesses with unapproved durawalls should complete the necessary approval processes before 28 February 2025 or pay stated penalty fines or have them demolished.
Read the notice:
“Please also note that those who are not within their boundaries should revert back to original pegs.
The council is waiving the US$200 penalty fee for each approval stage to people who respond to this call before 28 February 2025. Those who respond before the deadline will only pay US$150 approval fee.”
In the notice, residents are advised that if compliance is not achieved within a month, the municipality will not hesitate to demolish the durawalls at a cost that will be met by their owners.
“This notice was issued in terms of the Regional, Town and Country Plan- and the Roads Act (Chapter 13: 18),” said Nemuseso.
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Ward 16 councilor, Michael Mukashi said while the move by the local authority to effect such hefty fines was harsh, the onus was also on residents to follow the existing by- laws regarding the construction and maintenance of durawalls.
“Council is on record issuing a directive to residents to ensure that weep holes are there on their precast walls to avoid inconveniencing other residents this rainy season. The same residents ignore such calls only to cry foul when council is taking measures to protect the same residents against flooding and encroaching on other people’s property.”
Weep holes in durawalls are small openings at the base of a wall that allow water to drain and prevent water from pooling behind the wall, which can cause structural damage, mold, and even collapse.
Mukashi said in Ward 16, there were residents who deliberately closed weep holes causing flooding at some houses while others closed water leeways that ensured proper drainage of roads and homes in the community.
“The latest notice is informed by a local government ministry recommendation to reduce cases of flooding this rainy season. There are durawalls that have been constructed that encroach on roads and it is the duty of the city fathers to ensure compliance and adherence to the by-laws.”
He said while residents were justified that the fines were hefty, residents should also comply with the by- laws to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law.
Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA) director, Marvelous Khumalo said since the establishment of the town of Chitungwiza (in 1996), the durawalls that were built during this time were built without any form of approval from council and the local authority did not take any action.
“Chitungwiza municipality was sleeping on duty when these structures were being built and now they are coming to rectify that challenge because some of these structures were built encroaching on other people’s property and on roads,” said Khumalo.
He said for council to just come up and say everyone should regularize or pay a fine is a bit unfair.
“Council needs to sit down with the affected constituency and consult and dialogue with residents and their representatives first.
They should find out how best to deal with the challenge instead of just imposing fines.”
He however said the regularisation fee of $150 was justified considering that anyone who needed to construct their structure was supposed to pay $200 stage approval fee.
“If you build your structure without any approval there is a fine but what needs to be clear is if this figure is a once off fee.
Stakeholders involvement is key.”
Chitungwiza Residents Association (CHITREST) director Alice Kuvheya however said besides the fine being hefty, council management had misplaced priorities.
“The fine is not justified at all. The council does not know where their priorities are. They are prioritizing on durawalls, instead of houses.
We have sewer flowing in our houses for months which is not attended to, workers are not being paid. They never consulted us because we only woke up to a social media notice on durawalls,” said Kuvheya.
Residents who spoke to this publication however expressed concern at the move by the local authority accusing the city fathers of prioritizing fundraising ahead of service delivery.
Said Monica Dube:
“Can Chitungwiza municipality prioritise service delivery ahead of fines. They are failing to give us water for years, collect refuse and repair roads yet they are very good at imposing hefty fines.”
Added Mike Bhaureni:
“Chitungwiza municipality has inherited the spirit of finance minister Mthuli Ncube who is in the habit of charging locals exorbitant figures of foreign currency as if we are foreigners. Muchatopaza Chitungwiza yose meaning you will have to demolish the whole of Chitungwiza.”