Chitungwiza Municipality: Issues Abandoned Vehicle Ultimatum

• Chitungwiza Municipality issued a public notice on October 12, 2026, demanding the removal of abandoned vehicles and scrap materials.
• Guarded car park operators have until October 18, 2026, to clear their sites of all derelict property.
• The municipality cites abandoned items as eyesores and potential breeding grounds for criminal activities, including drug and substance abuse.
• Non-compliance from October 19, 2026, will lead to council teams removing the items, with all costs charged to the owners or lessees.
• Unclaimed vehicles removed by the council will be disposed of or sold through a public auction.

Failure to comply with the Chitungwiza Municipality abandoned vehicle ultimatum by the stipulated deadline will result in direct intervention by municipal teams.

Chitungwiza Municipality has issued a stringent public notice, dated Monday, October 12, 2026, demanding the immediate removal of all abandoned vehicles and scrap materials within its jurisdiction. Acting Town Clerk Japson Nemuseso communicated this directive, emphasizing that the presence of these discarded items poses significant challenges to public safety and urban aesthetics. The municipality has specifically targeted operators of guarded car parks, granting them a concise seven-day window, from the notice date until Sunday, October 18, 2026, to clear their premises of any such derelict property. This urgent call to action underscores the council's commitment to enhancing the overall living environment for its residents.

The public notice also extended a caution to the general populace, specifically warning against the establishment and operation of unauthorized car parks. This broader advisory highlights the municipality's comprehensive approach to managing urban spaces and ensuring compliance with established regulations. The directive makes it clear that non-adherence to these instructions will trigger immediate enforcement measures by the council, commencing on October 19, 2026. This firm stance indicates a zero-tolerance policy towards continued non-compliance, aiming to restore order and cleanliness across Chitungwiza.

The municipality's decision to issue this ultimatum stems from serious concerns regarding public health and security. Officials have identified abandoned vehicles and scrap materials as not merely visual nuisances but also as potential havens for illicit activities. The public notice explicitly states that these sites can become "potential breeding grounds for criminal activities, including drug and substance abuse," thereby directly impacting community safety. This proactive measure is framed as an integral component of the council's ongoing strategic initiatives aimed at fostering a clean, secure, and well-organized urban landscape throughout the town.

This is not the first instance where Chitungwiza Municipality has addressed the issue of abandoned property. A similar public appeal was made in the preceding year, yet the problem of derelict vehicles continuing to occupy public and private spaces has persisted. The repeated issuance of such directives underscores the ongoing challenge faced by the local authority in maintaining urban order and the necessity for more decisive enforcement. The council is now appealing for comprehensive cooperation from all stakeholders, including residents, vehicle owners, and car park operators, to collectively contribute to the restoration and upkeep of cleanliness and order within Chitungwiza.

Failure to comply with the Chitungwiza Municipality abandoned vehicle ultimatum by the stipulated deadline will result in direct intervention by municipal teams. Starting October 19, 2026, council personnel will initiate the removal of all non-compliant vehicles and scrap materials. Crucially, all expenses incurred during this removal process, including any subsequent disposal, will be directly charged to the registered owners or lessees of the impounded items. This financial liability serves as a significant deterrent, placing the burden of non-compliance squarely on those responsible for the abandoned property.

Furthermore, any vehicles that are removed by the council and subsequently remain unclaimed will face definitive disposal. The municipality has outlined that such unclaimed assets will either be scrapped entirely or offered for sale through a public auction. This measure ensures that public spaces are not re-cluttered with impounded items and provides a mechanism for the municipality to recover costs associated with enforcement. The strict timeline and clear financial implications highlight the urgency for all affected parties to act promptly to avoid these significant penalties.

Lawyers representing car park operators or vehicle owners in Chitungwiza must immediately advise clients of the 7-day deadline to remove abandoned vehicles and scrap, as non-compliance will result in impoundment, disposal, and costs being levied against the owners or lessees. Compliance officers should ensure their organizations operating in Chitungwiza are aware of and adhere to this directive to avoid enforcement action.

Source: Facts reported from Chitungwiza municipal notice.