Windfall for Harare City

HARARE City Council will rake in over $6 million in intrinsic land value from the regularisation of illegal settlements on sites zoned for residential purposes.

The city has since pocketed $1 million to date, but could have realised more had some residents not resisted paying $1 500 penalty fees, citing economic challenges.

The residents are also challenging the penalty fee, which they argue is too high.

According to the recent minutes of the Education, Health, Housing and Licensing Committee, acting housing and social development director Retired Major Matthew Marara briefed the committee on the regularisation of illegal settlements on sites zoned for residential development.

“He (Rtd Major Marara) reported that following the joint familiarisation tour by the Environmental Management and Education, Health, Housing and Community Services and Licensing Committee on May 30, 2016 to June 2, 2016, council resolved to regularise illegal settlements on sites zoned for residential purposes subject to procedural planning processes and payment of intrinsic land value, regularisation fees and any other related charges,” reads the minutes.

“The committee noted that all beneficiaries were registered on the city’s housing waiting list in terms of the housing policy. There were 4 058 beneficiaries on 16 sites zoned residential that were being regularised.”