The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has launched a drive to repossess dozens of undeveloped residential stands across several suburbs, warning beneficiaries who have failed to develop their properties within the stipulated period that they risk losing the land.
In a public notice, the local authority directed beneficiaries with undeveloped stands in Cowdray Park (Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai), Luveve 4, Luveve 5, Pumula South and Mahatshula to report to their respective housing offices within 30 days to explain why their allocations should not be cancelled.
The council said its housing policy requires beneficiaries to develop residential stands within 24 months of signing a sale or lease agreement.
“Beneficiaries are hereby required to report to the relevant housing office within 30 days from the date of publication of this notice to show cause why the stands should not be repossessed,” the council said.
It warned that failure to respond within the prescribed period would result in the stands being repossessed and reallocated to applicants on the city’s housing waiting list.
“Failure to comply with this notice will result in the automatic repossession and reallocation of the stands to candidates on the housing waiting list,” BCC said.
The notice affects 133 residential stands, comprising 55 in Pumula South, 46 in Luveve 5, 30 in Cowdray Park and two in Luveve 4.
The enforcement exercise is aimed at addressing long-standing concerns over undeveloped residential land, with council seeking to ensure that allocated stands are developed within the agreed timeframes and made available to residents in need of housing.
Some local residents welcomed the decision, arguing that a number of beneficiaries have held onto residential stands for years without developing them, denying prospective homeowners an opportunity to access land.
Others however blamed delays on inadequate servicing of residential areas, saying they have faced repeated requests for infrastructure top-up payments despite slow progress in the provision of roads, water and sewer infrastructure.
The council has advised affected beneficiaries to submit their representations or apply for extensions through the Tower Block, Cowdray Park, Pumula or Luveve housing offices before the expiry of the 30-day notice period.
The move marks the latest effort by the local authority to enforce housing development regulations, with undeveloped stands expected to be reallocated to eligible applicants as the city seeks to ease pressure on its housing waiting list.
