MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU—Government has warned local authorities against flouting approved land uses and turning a blind eye on substandard developments, saying councils that compromise service delivery after the completion of master plans will be held to account.
Provincial Affairs minister Owen Ncube issued the warning on Monday during a tour of National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2)-aligned commercial developments in Gweru.
He said weak enforcement of by-laws was undermining the ease of doing business and Zimbabwe’s drive towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Ncube highlighted that urban authorities must “walk the talk” by enforcing planning standards and acceptable operations, adding that councils were central to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Call to Action—No Compromise to Service Delivery blueprint.
“Following the conclusion of master plans, local authorities must adhere to assigned land uses, promote ease of doing business and enforce by-laws in line with the tenets of an upper middle-income society,” Ncube said, warning that disorderly development would not be tolerated.
His remarks come as government moves to rein in urban sprawl, illegal land use changes and poorly supervised construction projects that have strained water, road and electricity infrastructure in urban centres.
During the tour, Ncube visited several privately developed projects he described as compliant with NDS2, including SCHEE-FET Properties Shopping Complex (popularly known as Msopero), Discovery Shopping Mall and Lodges, L.T.J Square, Glow Petroleum Complex and the under-construction 7th Street Mall.
“These developments show what can be achieved when councils enforce planning standards and work with investors. Indiscipline by local authorities has in the past scared away capital,” he said.
The minister praised indigenous investors for contributing to urban renewal, job creation and skills development, saying orderly development was key to sustaining growth in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and retail, which anchor the Midlands provincial economy.
Among the projects showcased was the US$1,3 million SCHEE-FET Properties Shopping Mall, a family owned development providing workspaces for 33 small to medium enterprises and running community programmes that include scholarships and sports sponsorships.
Ncube also toured the US$2 million 7th Street Mall, a three storey development by O.J Properties, a subsidiary of Drawlink Civil Engineers, now about 70% complete.
The mall will house banking halls and convenience shops on the ground floor, a food court on the first floor and a 16-room bed-and-breakfast on the second floor.
However, Ncube’s tough tone suggested government patience was wearing thin with councils accused of approving developments outside zoning regulations or failing to adequately supervise projects, resulting in infrastructure mismatches and service delivery backlogs.
He said urban authorities were expected to complement the Second Republic’s urban renewal and smart city drive, citing developments in Mt Hampden and Midlands Park Flats in Zvishavane as benchmarks, adding that similar inspections would continue.
The warning comes amid growing pressure on councils to balance investment promotion with service delivery, as residents continue to complain about poor roads, water shortages and erratic electricity supply.
