City of Harare: Marlborough Wetland Corrupt Land Allocations Exposed

• The City of Harare's Housing Department is accused of illegally selling 31 residential stands on a gazetted wetland in Marlborough, with construction already underway.
• No Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted, and no development permits were issued for the stands, violating the Environmental Management Act and other key legislation.
• Ward 41 Councilor Kudzai Kadzombe and the Marlborough Environmental Action Group (MEAG) have raised concerns over the lack of consultation and the site's status as a gazetted wetland near sewer ponds.
• The incident highlights potential violations of the Urban Councils Act and Regional Town and Country Planning Act, undermining Zimbabwe's commitments under the Ramsar Convention.
• An anonymous City of Harare official described the allocations as an "act of corruption," with the Environmental Department not being consulted.

The allocation of these stands represents a clear violation of several key pieces of legislation, including the Urban Councils Act and the Regional Town and Country Planning Act.

The City of Harare's Housing Department is facing serious allegations of corrupt land allocations following the illicit sale of 31 residential stands situated on a gazetted wetland in Marlborough. These plots, located at the intersection of Taormina Avenue and Newstead Road, immediately adjacent to the Marlborough sewer ponds, have already seen the commencement of construction activities. The unfolding situation has triggered significant public concern, prompting the Zimbabwe Wetlands Trust to convene a situational meeting at the site, drawing various stakeholders.

Ward 41 Councilor Kudzai Kadzombe voiced profound apprehension regarding these corrupt land allocations and the persistent encroachment upon vital wetland areas. Councilor Kadzombe revealed that she had initially flagged multiple irregularities when the matter first came before the council, specifically highlighting the site's status as a gazetted wetland and its proximity to sewer ponds. Despite arrangements for the Town Planning and Housing Departments to conduct a feasibility study, this crucial step was never undertaken.

To her dismay, Councilor Kadzombe later learned from the District office that individuals designated as beneficiaries had already completed payments for these residential stands. This revelation, she noted, directly contravenes established legal frameworks. An official from the District Office corroborated that offer letters had been issued to beneficiaries of the land allocations, but confirmed the absence of necessary development permits and the fact that no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had been conducted prior to these allocations.

The allocation of these stands represents a clear violation of several key pieces of legislation, including the Urban Councils Act and the Regional Town and Country Planning Act. Furthermore, the Environmental Management Act mandates that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be carried out before any development proceeds. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has confirmed that no such assessment was performed for the Marlborough wetland corrupt land allocations.

Adding to the procedural irregularities, an anonymous City of Harare official disclosed that the Environmental Department was not consulted regarding the stand allocations, describing the situation as an "act of corruption." The Marlborough Environmental Action Group (MEAG) has also strongly condemned the process, emphasizing that Marlborough residents, who are critical stakeholders and whose consultation is a requirement for any EIA, were completely bypassed. MEAG further warned that this development, occurring near the Gwebi River, poses a significant threat to Harare's water supply.

This incident carries particular weight given Zimbabwe's current presidency of the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Councilor Kadzombe expressed deep concern that such actions set a detrimental precedent, undermining the nation's commitment to honoring its international environmental obligations, especially in the context of Harare wetland illegal land sales.

The widespread public outcry underscores a critical failure in governance and adherence to established legal processes. Councilor Kadzombe lamented the irony of "lawmakers becoming lawbreakers," questioning how the Housing Department proceeded with allocations on a wetland without the requisite permits. She anticipates a follow-up meeting where the Town Planning and Housing Departments will be pressed to explain their actions regarding these allocations.

The Marlborough Environmental Action Group has called for stringent measures to address the corrupt land allocations, highlighting the lack of transparency and resident involvement. This situation also brings into focus a prior warning issued by the City of Harare in June of this year, cautioning residents against "land barons" who were illicitly selling Council land in Marlborough using fraudulent documents. The current allegations suggest a deeper systemic issue within the City of Harare land corruption, raising serious questions about accountability and the protection of vital ecological zones.

This development highlights significant legal risks for clients involved in property development or acquisition in Harare, particularly concerning environmental compliance and adherence to the Urban Councils Act and Environmental Management Act. Lawyers should advise on rigorous due diligence to avoid liability from illegally allocated land and potential enforcement actions.

Source: Original reporting via {source}