Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe Union of Residents and Ratepayers Association (ZURRA) has called on the Government to support property owners in renovating their homes and buildings, urging authorities to consider the economic challenges facing residents before enforcing penalties for non-compliance.
In a statement, ZURRA said it supported efforts to promote clean, safe and dignified living environments but emphasised the need for a balanced approach that takes into account the financial circumstances of homeowners.
The association raised concerns over the government’s recent notice directing home and property owners to renovate their properties or face penalties, saying many households were struggling to meet basic needs.
“Many homeowners are struggling to afford basic food, school fees and rentals. To threaten them with penalties for not renovating in this harsh economic environment is insensitive,” said ZURRA spokesperson Marvelous Kumalo (pictured)
ZURRA said property renovations required access to affordable building materials, reliable water and electricity supplies, as well as financing facilities that many homeowners might struggle to obtain.
The association also urged the Government to consider the state of public infrastructure, including government offices, schools, clinics, stadia, hostels and council-owned properties, which it said were in need of attention.
“However, we are concerned about the approach and reiterate that the government must lead by example and desist from demanding what it does not practice,” Kumalo said.
ZURRA called for a national renovation programme targeting dilapidated public buildings and government-owned properties, saying authorities should demonstrate their commitment to infrastructure maintenance while supporting residents to improve their own properties.
Instead of relying on punitive measures, the association proposed incentives to encourage compliance, including tax breaks on building materials, council rate discounts for property owners who renovate their properties, and low-interest loans to finance home improvements.
It also called on the Government to publish a time-bound plan for renovating public buildings, suspend punitive measures against private property owners until the economy stabilises, and engage residents’ associations in meaningful consultations.
The association said residents needed practical support to meet renovation requirements, particularly given the economic pressures facing many households.
ZURRA maintained that improving the country’s built environment required cooperation between the Government and citizens, with both parties playing their part in creating cleaner and safer communities.
“A clean Zimbabwe must be built together — with Government leading, not threatening, from the front,” the association said.