Published: 4 hours ago

A storm is brewing in Harare after the City of Harare announced plans to potentially sell a portion of Otto Road in Highlands to an unnamed entity or individual. The municipality issued a public notice inviting residents and stakeholders to lodge objections within a month.

The notice, issued by the city's Department of Urban Planning, Traffic and Transportation, states that the road is "not yet developed" and the applicant intends to purchase the closed portion once all council processes are completed. "Once the procedure is finalised, this portion of Otto Road ceases to be operational," the notice reads.

Critics have raised concerns that the move could be part of corruption and "daylight land theft" by powerful officials. Harare Residents Trust coordinator Precious Shumba described the secrecy surrounding the buyer as "alarming" and indicative of a wealthy public official or a member of the security establishment using their influence to bypass town planning regulations.

"Access to people's properties is very critical, and should not be blocked by corruption being normalised," Shumba said.

Mayor Jacob Mafume, who said he was unaware of the matter, promised to follow up. Observers noted that withholding the identity of the purchaser undermines transparency and public trust, given the road's status as a public good.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of previous findings by a Commission of Inquiry into city governance, which highlighted widespread land looting in Harare, often facilitated by council management and councillors. Parliament was recently informed that more than 144 sites have been illegally invaded by land barons, many with links to Zanu-PF, resulting in legal battles and ongoing disputes.

Harare has also witnessed an increase in constructions on wetlands and road reserves, intensifying concerns about urban planning and governance in the capital.

Residents now face a critical month to voice objections, while questions linger over who stands to benefit from the potential sale of a public road.
- The Standard

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