Residents in Mabelreign have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to authorities, demanding full disclosure of approvals and records linked to controversial developments on land designated as a public car park.
The dispute, which has drawn the attention of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, centres on alleged unlawful construction carried out behind ZESA offices, with residents accusing officials of bypassing council procedures.
Ward 16 councillor Denford Ngadziore and a private developer are now under scrutiny following claims that the land’s official use was never legally changed.
Residents said the area remains a public parking space, insisting that no development should have taken place without full council approval.
“No Full Council resolution has been produced authorising a change of land use. In law, the land therefore remains a car park and no development, including temporary structures, is permitted without such approval,” they said.
They added that affected stakeholders, including shop owners in the area, were not consulted before the project was initiated.
“This confirms that statutory and administrative procedures were not followed,” residents said.
The controversy has been further fuelled by revelations that the initial proposal was for a temporary market facility, which residents say was never approved by full council.
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“Despite this, permanent brick-and-mortar structures were constructed on site,” they said.
Residents argue that the developments amount to “unlawful use of land, implementation without Full Council approval, and material deviation from the approved temporary proposal.”
They also pointed to the demolition of the structures as confirmation that the project was irregular.
“The subsequent demolition of the structures confirms that the development was not lawful,” they said.
The residents are now demanding urgent action, including the release of all approvals, resolutions and administrative records within 72 hours, as well as full disclosure of procurement processes, allocation procedures and ownership details within five days.
They warned that the matter raises serious concerns over governance and accountability within local authorities.
“This matter raises serious concerns regarding abuse of office, failure of oversight, possible circumvention of council procedures and irregular implementation by a private developer,” they said.
The case has intensified scrutiny on urban land management in Harare, with residents calling for transparency and stricter enforcement of planning regulations.
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