City buildings ‘death traps’
LAXITY and poor enforcement of by-laws by Harare City Council’s inspectorate department has seen companies operating from dilapidated buildings in the city centre, posing a serious threat to human life.
Some buildings that are found right in the city centre are more of death traps, raising questions on the level of commitment by the city fathers to spruce up the capital city’s image and to maintain high safety and health standards.
Despite having a fully-fledged inspectorate department, some of Harare’s structures are visibly below standard with dilapidated and filthy premises being used as food outlets.
Recently, President Mnangagwa expressed concern over the state of most city structures saying council should invoke the city by-laws to ensure the buildings are spruced up to meet the expected standards.
Town planning expert Dr Percy Toriro said local authorities have a mandate to religiously inspect all structures for the safety of the public.
He said they should certify them after inspection to ensure that the public is protected from any possible hazards which may arise.
“One of the key fundamental duties for local authorities is to ensure public safety, particularly in major cities. They should periodically inspect all structures in the central business districts, certify them and ensure that they are not a threat to the public.
“They should religiously do that to avoid any possible loss of lives,” he said.
A building at No.r 49 Speke Avenue, whose veranda pillar has broken into pieces, is literally a ticking time bomb posing a danger to motorists and pedestrians.
The structure is inscribed “1921”, which is probably the year it was built, requires extensive repairs to meet minimum building standards.
The supporting pillars are broken, with one having been removed altogether.
Others have deep cracks, which by any standards, cannot be condoned.
The roof is loose and the gutters are completely broken. The building is leased to Hifi Centre, Bedding World and Millennium Electronics.
A building inscribed “E.Adam and Sons (Pvt) Ltd”, located at No. 25 South Avenue, also needs to be urgently shut down for renovations.
The roof is loose and visibly crying for renovation. vendors plying their trade outside the building also expressed concern at the state of the roof.
“We actually fear for our lives as we carry out our business. The roof can fall as pedestrians pass and there is urgent need for repair.
“It needs a complete overhaul before it gives in,” said a vendor.
The building houses a retail shop selling school uniforms and stationery.
Treasure Trove Building, which houses National Carpets and Curtains at the corner of Sam Nujoma Street and George Silundika Avenue, is in a similar state of disrepair. One of its supporting pillars was hit by a car last year and it is yet to be repaired.
Motorists park their vehicles next to the building at their own risk.
Labros House at the corner of Robson Manyika Avenue and Innez Terrace has seen better days such that its name has already disappeared from the walls. Windows are broken and the walls are in need of urgent repair.
Council inspectorate teams are expected to regularly conduct inspections to ensure compliance with city building by-laws.
On issuing health certificates, the officials are expected to check for compliance with public health issues.
These include sanitary facilities, fire equipment and exits, ceilings and paint work, among other things. For example, toilets must be tiled so they do not become a breeding ground for diseases.
In an interview, Harare Mayor Councillor Herbert Gomba said teams were now on the ground to assess the state of the buildings.
“Our teams are on the ground making assessments on all the buildings and properties,” he said.
He said once they finished making the assessments, they would come up with a comprehensive report.
City spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme said they had given orders to building owners to renovate their properties.
“We have issued abatement orders for them to reconstruct and repaint their buildings and we have been doing this for a long time,” he said, adding: “We will always make sure that they comply.”