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Ellah Mukwati and Rutendo Rori
Chitungwiza Municipality has bemoaned the mushrooming of illegal settlements in parts of the town. The council has since given the illegal settlers a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate. In a statement yesterday, Chitungwiza Town Clerk Mr George Makunde said six areas were affected. “Notice is hereby given that it has come to the attention of council that the following areas have recently been or have since been occupied and illegal structures are in the process of being put up or have already been put up: Riverside, behind UDCORP stands, Unit L wetland, stretching from Unit L cemetery to Zanoremba houses, Stand 16891, belonging to Mr B. Chivhanga, St Mary’s (Pakadenga), St Mary’s Manyame Park Primary School stand, Nyatsime Longlands and Braemer farms.

“It has been the tendency of occupiers to ignore council orders and instead, listen to land barons who would have illegally parcelled out the land. Council is, therefore, directing that those who illegally occupied land should move out on their own volition within the next 48 hours.”

Mr Makunde said Chitungwiza Municipality was working closely with the Manyame Rural District Council on all areas along Duri River and Riverside Township and thus no one had permission to occupy those areas from any of the two local authorities.

“It is saddening to note that council still continues to receive applications from some members of the community to occupy wetlands that were condemned by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing after audits were carried out for those areas in 2013,” Mr Makunde said.

“We still await reports from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing on recent investigations pertaining to Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle Housing Scheme; and Stand 16891 Zengeza 5 and, accordingly, all developments on those areas remain frozen till the matter gets finalised.”