Council explains land developers’ operations
NORTON Town Council has explained operations of private land developers in the area, indicating that the majority of them are doing their job above board, and complying with council requirements with regards to permits and specifications.
The explanation is contained in a response by town council secretary Mr Kizito Muhomba to a petition from residents.
Concerning the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association Trust (ZAHA) project in Galloway, Mr Muhomba said the organisation was servicing the remainder of Galloway, which is referred to as Galloway Phase 2.
“A development permit dated 29 July 2015 was issued by council in favour of ZAHA to allow them to provide infrastructure within the scheme,” he said.
“Meanwhile, council has also issued ZAHA with a parallel development permit dated 18 August 2015 to allow the developers to concurrently service the scheme, whilst their beneficiaries are putting up their structure to facilitate the provision of housing accommodation within the town.”
Mr Muhomba said Galloway farm was originally owned by Galloway Agricultural Enterprise through Deed number 2973-93.
In 2003, a letter by Kennan Properties dated 28 January 2013 to council advised that Galloway Agricultural Enterprises had sold the property, remainder of Galloway measuring 468 7639 hectares to ZAHA, he said. Mr Muhomba said ZAHA then applied for amendment of the subdivision permit, which was granted through resolution 17708 (c) (11) of a full council meeting.
With regards to Koshen Housing Project in the Johannesburg area, Mr Muhomba said a compliance certificate was issued in July 2002 upon satisfying development conditions.
“In December 2016, the same developer successfully applied for a subdivision permit on a remainder of the land and further a development was issued to him,” he said.
“In September 2017, we noted development of structures within the area, we duly served him with an enforcement order to immediately stop the illegal occupation of the land. The developer responded on 31 October highlighting that he would ensure adherence to regulations.”
Mr Muhomba said E Pfugari in Knowe had not fulfilled any of the infrastructure provisions in respect of the housing schemes in Norton, despite several meetings and actions to enforce compliance.
He said council was working on taking the firm to court after it commenced servicing of the area without following procedures.
On Maparahwe Properties operations in Kingsdale, Mr Muhomba said the firm applied for the subdivision of Kingsdale Farm in terms of Section 40 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act as it was urban private land.
The farm was contested in court, but Government advised Norton Council that the compulsory acquisition of the land was nullified.
Government indicated it had negotiated with the developer that cooperative members should not be evicted, provided that each member pay to the developer an agreed sum to pay for the purchase of the land.
The occupants have agreements of sale with Maparahwe properties. Adore Gold of Marshlands was not issued with a development permit for the area and development of infrastructure has not started, said Mr Muhomba.
Concerning Adore Gold of Maridale, Mr Muhomba said the area has a subdivision permit.
Mr Muhomba said another area, Trafalgar, belonged to the late Tsodzai and his estate could not provide for servicing of the land, though there was a registered subdivision.
He said there was an existing subdivision permit and development permit for Damafalls Land Developers of Damafalls, which had seen water reticulation being completed, while road servicing is in progress.
A compliance certificate cannot be issued because other agreed developments have not taken place, said Mr Muhomba.
He said contrary to residents’ views that former councillor and audit committee chairperson, Mr Takawira had been dismissed, he was in fact recalled by his political party in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.