Staff Writer
The Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) has called for a comprehensive investigation into car sales, car parks and other commercial activities allegedly operating on road servitudes, council land, recreational spaces, wetlands and land reserved for public infrastructure across the country.
ZNOART National Chairman Shalvar Chikomba said the investigation should establish how the land was allocated or occupied and whether the relevant planning, environmental and local-authority requirements were followed.
“We are calling for the immediate investigation into the legality of car sales, car parks and related commercial activities operating on road servitudes, council land, recreational spaces, wetlands and other land not designated for such purposes,” Chikomba said.
He said residents had raised concerns over the proliferation of car sales and car parks in areas originally intended for recreational facilities, schools, clinics and other public infrastructure.
“Residents cannot be excluded from decisions that fundamentally alter the character, functionality and future development of their neighbourhoods,” Chikomba said.
ZNOART is calling for an audit of leases, licences, permits and other agreements relating to car sales, car parks and associated commercial activities on public or council-controlled land.
Chikomba said where irregularities were established, appropriate legal and administrative action should be taken, including the cancellation of unlawful or improperly issued leases and the removal of structures found to have been unlawfully erected, subject to due process.
The residents’ body is also seeking scrutiny of land allegedly allocated through government entities, parastatals and other public institutions, particularly where such allocations could affect road servitudes, public spaces, wetlands or planned urban infrastructure.
Chikomba said residents should be given meaningful opportunities to participate in planning and consultation processes whenever public land or community facilities are proposed for alternative uses.
“Urban development must be orderly, transparent, accountable and consistent with approved plans and applicable legislation,” he said.
ZNOART also raised concern over permanent structures allegedly constructed on wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas.
Chikomba said where investigations established that development had taken place unlawfully on protected wetlands or land where construction was prohibited, authorities should take appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the law.
“No development should be allowed to compromise wetlands, water systems, environmental protection or the long-term interests of surrounding communities,” he said.
ZNOART further called for investigations into allegations that some premises operating as car sales may be involved in activities beyond vehicle sales, including food preparation, entertainment, gambling and other commercial activities.
The organisation also cited allegations involving illicit financial transactions and the sale or use of drugs and intoxicating substances at some locations, but stressed that such claims should not be treated as established facts without evidence.
“These allegations must not be treated as established facts without evidence. We therefore call upon the relevant authorities, including law-enforcement and regulatory agencies, to investigate such allegations independently and take appropriate action where violations are established,” Chikomba said.
ZNOART wants a multi-stakeholder investigation committee comprising government ministries and departments, local authorities, planning authorities, environmental regulators, law-enforcement agencies and residents’ representatives.
The proposed investigation would examine the ownership and legal status of land occupied by car sales and car parks, audit permits and leases, establish whether planning and environmental procedures were followed, and identify possible encroachment into road servitudes, wetlands, recreational spaces and other reserved land.
Chikomba said ZNOART welcomed the Government’s renewed enforcement drive aimed at restoring order, safety and cleanliness in Zimbabwe’s urban areas.
He said the enforcement programme should extend beyond dilapidated properties to include illegal developments, unauthorised building alterations, unlawful occupation of public land and developments that undermine approved urban plans.
“Enforcement should be undertaken transparently, fairly and in accordance with due process,” Chikomba said.
ZNOART also called on local authorities to renovate and improve designated vending sites, saying formalisation of informal trading should be accompanied by adequate sanitation, waste management, water, security and proper trading infrastructure.
The organisation further urged Government and councils to sustain urban clean-up and restoration programmes beyond major cities, extending them to municipalities, towns and growth points across Zimbabwe.
Chikomba said ZNOART was not opposed to legitimate businesses, investment, vending or development, but insisted that such activities should comply with planning, environmental, health, safety and licensing requirements.
“Our position is that development must be lawful, properly planned, environmentally responsible and beneficial to communities,” he said.
“Public land must be protected. Wetlands must be protected. Land reserved for schools, clinics, recreational facilities and future infrastructure must be protected.”
He added: “Where land has been unlawfully allocated or occupied, the circumstances surrounding such allocation or occupation must be investigated and appropriate action taken in accordance with the law.”
Chikomba said ZNOART remained committed to working with Government, local authorities, residents, businesses and other stakeholders to promote clean, safe, orderly, transparent and well-planned communities.