Residents of Chitungwiza are frustrated with the local municipality’s decision to impose fines on unapproved perimeter walls and prohibit the use of makeshift cabins and containers by traders.
The Chitungwiza Municipality announced these measures in two separate notices dated January 27, signed by acting town clerk Japson Nemuseso and circulated on social media.
One notice requires homeowners and small businesses with unapproved perimeter walls, commonly known as durawalls, to legalize them by February 28, 2025. Those who comply early will pay a US$150 fee, while late regularization will incur a US$200 penalty. Non-compliance may lead to demolitions at the owners’ expense.
The second notice targets small-scale traders operating in makeshift cabins and containers without proper licenses, warning that goods and equipment could be confiscated if operations continue beyond February 6.
Tawanda Kagande, a resident of Ward 21, criticized the council’s approach, arguing that it is addressing the wrong issues. He emphasized that the municipality should prioritize fixing blocked waterways and poor drainage, which contribute to flash floods and soil erosion. Kagande also pointed out that some small-scale business operators had initially received authorization from municipal officials before setting up their structures.
Alice Kuvheya, director of the Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST), condemned the local authority’s misplaced priorities. She highlighted that the council has been struggling to pay its workers, while sewage issues and deteriorating infrastructure remain unresolved. Kuvheya also raised concerns about the safety of children, who face hazards due to the poor state of the city’s environment.
Another resident, Yeukai Kazingizi, questioned the fairness of the US$200 penalty and urged the municipality to provide designated spaces for vendors before taking action against them.
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