Chitungwiza residents fume over threat to demolish durawalls

Marshall Bwanya

Chitungwiza—Residents of Chitungwiza are outraged by the municipality’s imposition of fines on unapproved perimeter walls and a ban on the use of containers and makeshift cabins by traders.

The Chitungwiza municipality advised residents of the new requirements regarding perimeter walls through a 27 January notice that was signed by the acting town clerk, Japson Nemuseso and shared through social media.

This notice requires homeowners and small businesses with unapproved perimeter walls commonly known as durawalls to regularise them by 28 February 2025.

For early compliance, residents will pay a regular US$150 fee, while late responses will attract a US$200 penalty and failure to regularise may result in demolitions of structures at the owners’ expense.

The second notice targets small-scale businesses operating in makeshift cabins and containers without proper licenses, permits, or leases, threatening confiscation of goods and equipment if operations do not cease by 6 February.

Tawanda Kagande, a Ward 21 resident, described the council’s move as “prescription for the wrong ailment.”

He urged the municipality to address poor water drainage and blockages caused by new settlements, resulting in the disruption of natural water flow, flash floods and soil erosion.

“On the issue of durawalls, the local municipality must first consult with the people on what needs to be fixed.

“The real concern is the waterways, like those under the road from VID to Chibuku Stadium, which have been blocked by houses built on top of them,” Kagande said.

He also questioned the council’s targeting of small-scale businesses, noting that many operators had received approval from municipal officials before setting up their structures.

“It’s not like small-scale business operators and vendors just wake up and install cabins without consultation. Some of them were advised by local municipality officials. The authorisation would have come from council officials.

“It’s important that the council first consults cabin and container owners to determine which officials authorised them to install their structures and operate in those areas,” he said.

Alice Kuvheya, the Chitungwiza Residents Trust (Chitrest) director, expressed the same sentiments, accusing the local authority of neglecting major challenges that the city is facing.

“The council doesn’t know where its priorities are. Sewage has been flowing into our homes for months, workers are unpaid, and children can’t play outside safely.

“One child even fell into a sewer pond in St Mary’s last year. Our lives are in danger,” she said.

Kuvheya lamented the council’s failure to deliver on promises of vending stalls, water and garbage bins despite residents paying rates. “It’s sad to receive such notices on social media without proper consultation,” she added.

Yeukai Kazingizi, another resident, criticised the council for lack of foresight.

“Where was the council when these durawalls were being built? They didn’t consult us and even our councillors failed to represent us.

“US$200 is too much for struggling residents, and where are vendors supposed to operate if the council doesn’t provide legal spaces?” she said.

Chitungwiza municipality spokesperson, Tafadzwa Kachiko, defended the notices, stating that they were based on community feedback and aimed at addressing flash floods caused by blocked waterways and storm drains.

“It is not every perimeter wall that is going to be affected.  All we are saying is that residents should respect the original pegs of their stands and not encroach on road servitudes, sewer and water infrastructure or block waterways,” he said.

Kachiko added: “Our refuse trucks cannot access some areas because of the encroachment on roads. There are walls built in such a way that they can collapse and cause accidents, and there are some with no weep holes. All that should be corrected, hence the exercise.”

Kachiko also emphasised the need for small-scale businesses to operate legally.

“They (businesses) ought to operate with legitimate leases, licenses, and permits. This is not a war against them,” said Kachiko