By Staff Reporter
CONCERNED about unregulated infrastructural developments on greenways and the sprouting of private schools and creches in suburbs, government has stopped councils processing applications and issuing permits.
The moratorium, which takes effect immediately, has been necessitated by an influx of applications to convert residential properties into institutional stands, a trend which Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe has put on ice in terms of Section 69 of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12).
The law provides that the relevant minister may give to any local authority directions, either general or specific, regulating the manner in which any procedures for the carrying out of its functions shall be carried out.
In a circular dated May 2, 2025, addressed to mayors and chairpersons of councils, Garwe said the 90-day moratorium prohibits all local authorities from exercising planning powers in respect of change of reservation and change of land use, effective the date of pronouncement, which is May 2.
“The moratorium is conditional in that local authorities are required to undertake specific actions elaborated in it, inorder for the moratorium to be lifted for respective councils,” reads the circular.
“Each local authority is required to have a whole-of-council approach in ensuring adherence to the conditions set out in this moratorium.”
It was further noted that interpretation of the order rests with the ministry’s permanent secretary.
In an explanatory note accompanying the circular, Garwe said the proliferation of obstructive land uses in residential areas and the heightened public complaints against such developments, had jerked his ministry to stop councils from authorising developments until certain conditions were met.
“In the interest of the public, the Government of Zimbabwe hereby wishes to advise the nation of measures being put in place to enhance the management of the built environment in our rural and urban areas by temporarily suspending the processing of such permits while reviews are conducted by relevant authorities,” added Garwe.
During the moratorium, councils must strengthen their development control units through staffing and provision of requisite tools of trade, enhance public consultation mechanisms to make them more effective, and enforce legal provisions, including by-laws.
In addition, the local authorities must strengthen monitoring of compliance with respect of various permits and develop plans for maintenance and beautification of buffers along roads and other public spaces.
The minister says he will uplift the moratorium for those councils that would have complied with the set conditions and provided proof of compliance by submitting a comprehensive report that shows how they would have fulfilled the criteria.