Ex-city treasurer turns house into supermarket

HARARE City Council is set to demolish illegal wooden structures built at former city treasurer Mr Misheck Mubvumbi’s Greendale residential property being used as supermarket under the trade name Caterwise.

Residents in the surrounding area wrote to council, complaining that the business had become a nuisance. Shoppers and delivery vans were disturbing peace and tranquillity in the area. Residents also feared that wooden structures were a fire hazard.

“They also pose a health hazard as they will be breeding grounds for rats,” said the residents.

“The industrial chemicals to be stored there, which are currently stored outside of the building are equally a danger to the neighbourhood.”

Harare City Council, through the then acting director of works Mrs Priscilla Charumbira, wrote to Mr Mubvumbi, advising him to halt the illegal operations at his property or risk demolition of the illegal structures.

“An inspection carried out by development control section on October 25, 2017 and recorded in my register revealed that you are using the above mentioned residential property for commercial purposes and constructed illegal wooded structures for storage purposes,” reads the letter.

“Found on the premises was a whole house being used as grocery shops. For your information Stand No. 22409, Greendale Township, otherwise known as 7 Findowrie Drive, Greendale, is situated within residential zone.

“Wherein erecting wooden structures on the boundary line and operating grocery shop is prohibited.”

Mrs Charumbira said such use amounts to contravention of Section 24 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29; 12) Revised Edition 1996. She advised Mr Mubvumbi to cease operation at the grocery shop and demolish the wooden structures on or before November 30, failure of which the city would issue him with an enforcement, prohibition and demolition order in terms of Sections 32, 34 and 35 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12 Revised Edition 1995.

“Meanwhile, by copy of this letter, finance director is advised to impose penalty charges on your rates account with immediate effect in terms of Harare (Incorporated and Local Government Areas) (Supplementary Charges) (Amendment) By-Laws 2011 (No 25) Chapter 29:15 (Statutory Instrument 53 of 2011),” reads the letter.

Efforts to contact Mr Mubvumbi were fruitless, but sources said he was leasing the property in question.