THE government plans to rehabilitate the infrastructure of Harare’s suburbs, including roads, sewer systems, water pipes, and street lights, once homeowners acquire title deeds, Minister of Justice, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, announced on Friday.
Ziyambi’s comments come at a time when both high- and low-density suburbs in Harare are struggling with service delivery, a situation worsened by the city council’s failure to maintain residential areas. Additionally, land barons and cooperatives have been issuing plots not authorized by the Harare city council, prioritizing profits over legality, which has resulted in buildings being constructed on wetlands.
Residential stands issued by land barons have led to the development of scattered houses in nearly all Harare suburbs. These houses often lack essential services such as roads, sewer systems, and street lights, with a significant concentration in Epworth, although the problem is spreading throughout various neighborhoods, sometimes referred to as “Magada.”
Speaking at the National Real Estate Day in Harare last week, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi, who was the guest of honor, emphasized that the government is committed to rehabilitating urban neighborhoods once all homeowners acquire title deeds. He pointed out that development is hindered because many urban residents do not possess these deeds.
“Once people have title deeds, much can be done. Some homeowners in Mbare and Glenora do not have deeds, so we hope that by granting everyone deeds, it will be easier to develop urban suburbs. It’s challenging for us to develop areas that are not officially recognized,” he stated.
The former Minister of Home Affairs also mentioned plans to amend the Estate Agents Act to improve transparency and prevent fraudulent agents from exploiting innocent customers.
“We are considering amendments to strengthen protections and eliminate the issue of illegal and unregistered estate agents who prey on unsuspecting members of our society,” he said.
During the 2023 general election campaigning period, President Emmerson Mnangagwa pledged to provide title deeds to residents of Epworth, resulting in some residents of Glenwood Park in Epworth already receiving their deeds.
In an interview with 263 Times, one beneficiary, who wished to remain anonymous, shared, “We already have title deeds. The President keeps his promises, but we are now urging the local authority to construct proper sewer systems, provide clean tap water, and repair the roads. We struggle significantly with the roads during the rainy season.”
Efforts to reach the Harare city council for comments on whether they are aware of or involved in the rehabilitation plan following the issuance of title deeds were unsuccessful, as Mayor Jacob Mafume’s phone went unanswered.
Among the notable agencies that attended the annual National Real Estate Day, where Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi was the guest of honor, were the Real Estate Institute of Zimbabwe, Homesforth Properties, and Guest and Tanner Real Estate.
