City demolishes Mbudzi roundabout illegal structures

AS preparations to build the new interchange-flyover to replace the continuously-clogged Mbudzi roundabout, Harare City Council is now finally moving against those who have illegally built tuckshops and houses on the road reserves in the Hopley area, with more than 320 given 48-hour eviction notices.

The final approval of the construction of the interchange was given by Cabinet yesterday.

Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said: “Cabinet has noted that works on the Beitbridge-Harare Highway are facilitating the smooth flow of traffic causing congestion at the Mbudzi roundabout.

“Accordingly, Cabinet has approved the immediate construction of the Mbudzi traffic interchange in Harare.”

Work has already started on repairing and upgrading surrounding roads to act as the needed diversions before teams move into the roundabout area.

This means that Harare City Council has to act to remove the illegal structures, some of which have been allowed to clog road reserves for up to six years with council doing little. This suddenly changed with the council threatened to bring in bulldozers at the end of the 48 hours.

The dual operation is centred on the new flyover, but part is to clear a major road reservation in the Hopley area and the other part to clear the road reservation and other council land around the proposed roadworks for the interchange.

Most owners of the illegal houses and tuckshops near Tariro Clinic road reserve had started pulling down structures yesterday on their own following the council notices, but they were complaining that

◆