CHITUNGWIZA – Homeowners and businesses in Chitungwiza with unapproved precast walls have been given a one-month ultimatum to regularise their structures with the municipality, or face demolition. This comes in a notice issued by the Chitungwiza municipal acting town clerk, Japson Nemuseso.
The notice, issued recently, states that the council is offering a temporary waiver on penalties for those who comply before February 28, 2025. Instead of the usual US$200 penalty fee per approval stage, those who regularise their structures within the stipulated timeframe will only pay a reduced fee of US$150.
Nemuseso’s statement clarified the council’s position: “Chitungwiza Municipality is inviting homeowners and businesses with durawalls that have not been approved to visit council offices for regularisation by going through the approval processes. Please also note that those who are not within their boundaries should revert back to original pegs.
The council is waiving the US$200 penalty fee for each approval stage to people who respond to this call before 28 February 2025. Those who respond before the deadline will only pay a US$150 approval fee. If compliance is not achieved within a month, the municipality will not hesitate to demolish the durawalls, a cost that will be met by their owners,” he said.
The municipality’s action is not limited to precast walls. It has also targeted businesses operating from mobile cash cabins or containers without the necessary licenses, permits, or leases. These businesses have been given an even shorter deadline – February 6, 2025 – to cease operations and vacate the premises.
Nemuseso issued a stern warning regarding non-compliance: “The Chitungwiza Municipality hereby directs anyone running a business in mobile cash cabins or containers without the required licenses, permits, or legitimate leases to cease operations immediately and vacate the area you operate at by February 6, 2025. Failure to comply with this notice will result in confiscation of any goods and equipment. The Municipality firmly urges you to act promptly to avoid financial or legal consequences,” he stated.
