The corruption-riddled Harare City Council has torched yet another storm after facilitating and allocating several residential stands on tarred streets in Harare, plus converting recreation areas and wetlands to housing stands and wantonly disregarding laid-down by-laws to take rich pickings from desperate home seekers.
Some of the streets in Glen Norah have been converted into stands, regardless of the outcry by residents condemning the continual sprouting of illegal structures in the suburb.
A house under construction, already at window level, was erected right in the middle of Mabanda Crescent opposite house number 664 in Glen Norah A.
There were other two cottages which have been completed and waiting for final touches in the middle of Narira Crescent in Glen Norah A.
Another completed structure built next to house number 1486 close by Narira Street around Glen Norah Flats was also erected in the middle of the road two months ago.
A 44-second video clip of comedian Timothy “Timmy” Tapfumaneyi of the “Timmy naBonzo” fame blaming the corrupt council officials for disregarding by-laws has since gone viral.
“I am in Glen Norah A, Chitubu area, Narira Crescent where I grew up. I decided to visit my childhood area, but I was shocked to see a house being constructed in the middle of a road.
“This is the way we would use going to the Chitubu Shopping Centre, but now there is a house. The council has gone to the dogs. We need new leadership,” he is heard fuming.
In Glen Norah yesterday residents had no kind words for the developments, demanding that the houses be demolished and the road be restored.
Mr Gwinyai Mutunga said the houses must be removed as they were blocking their way to Chitubu Shops.
“This is a road which we used to go to the shops but now it is impassable. The house was built on the road and as residents we are saying it should be demolished. We understand the stand was given to the nephew of a local Member of Parliament (of the MDC).
“We do not know the owner of the other house but what we want as residents is the demolition of the two houses because we cannot have houses built on the road. We are very disappointed with what is happening in council and they should respect the residents,” he said.
