Glen Lorne residents demand halt to disputed housing project

By Southerton Business Times | Harare, Zimbabwe

GLEN LORNE residents have appealed to Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe to immediately halt activities at a disputed cluster housing development on Lytham Road, amid allegations of unauthorised earthworks, borehole drilling and environmental damage near the Umwinsi River.

The residents say developer Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd has continued working on the proposed development despite alleged government directives to suspend activities while outstanding planning, environmental and regulatory issues are resolved.

In a letter to Garwe, copied to Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Evelyn Ndlovu, the Office of the President and Cabinet, the City of Harare, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and parliamentary portfolio committees, residents warned of what they described as the risk of “irreversible environmental harm”.

The appeal follows a meeting convened by Garwe on August 3 involving the developer, EMA, ZINWA, the City of Harare, Nyaguvi Sub-Catchment Council and residents' representatives. A ministry invitation seen by Southerton Business Times said the meeting was convened to discuss the proposed gated cluster housing development on Stand 4717, Glen Lorne Township. Residents allege officials instructed the developer to stop work pending resolution of outstanding legal and regulatory matters. However, the publication could not independently verify what was said during the meeting, and no official minutes had been released at the time of publication.

Dispute over 89-unit development

The controversy centres on a proposed 89-unit cluster housing development on Stand 4717.

A City of Harare public notice issued under the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act invited members of the public to submit objections to the proposed development. Residents allege that the notice was published after boreholes had already been drilled and indigenous trees cleared at the site. They further claim that 452 written objections were eventually acknowledged by authorities, reflecting what they described as substantial community opposition.

The residents also dispute aspects of the environmental assessment process. They acknowledge EMA's reported assessment that about 70 percent of the property is non-wetland while 30 percent is classified as wetland. However, they allege EMA Director General indicated during a July 10 site meeting that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) permit had been revoked for review. These claims could not independently be verified.

Boreholes and Umwinsi River concerns

Residents further allege that Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution Tafadzwa Muguti instructed the developer to stop work during a site inspection and ordered nine boreholes to be sealed. They allege that one of the boreholes is approximately 15 metres from the Umwinsi River and was drilled without the required permits. Residents say recent video footage allegedly shows some boreholes continuing to pump water despite the reported directive.

One resident, who requested anonymity, described the situation as an environmental emergency.

“This has become an environmental disaster unfolding before our eyes. Government officials instructed that the works stop, the illegal boreholes be sealed and the environmental concerns be addressed. Instead, activities have continued, trees have been destroyed and the Umwinsi River remains under threat,” the resident said.

Another resident said the dispute was not opposition to development but concern over Harare's water resources.

“Glen Lorne, Greystone Park and Hatcliffe have never had reliable water. We’ve been waiting for years for Kunzvi Dam to be built,” the resident said.

“This wetland they want to build on, even if it is only part of it, will affect the flow of water into Kunzvi Dam when it is built.”

Residents warn of legal action

Residents also allege that earthworks have extended beyond the proposed development area, including grading on adjoining land and activity close to the Umwinsi River. They further claim soil may have been dumped into the river and that hundreds of indigenous trees have been cleared. The Forestry Commission is reportedly investigating the alleged tree clearance, although this could not be independently confirmed. Residents also fear the proposed perimeter wall could interfere with stormwater movement and increase flooding risks along Lytham Road and neighbouring properties.

They have urged authorities to enforce any previous stop-work directives and ensure that all planning, environmental and water-related requirements are satisfied before construction resumes. The residents warned that they could approach the High Court for urgent relief to preserve the status quo if the alleged activities continue. A separate allegation that some officials may have been compromised was made by a resident but was not supported by evidence and could not be independently verified. Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd could not immediately be reached for comment.

EMA, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the Forestry Commission and the City of Harare had also not responded to the residents' latest allegations by the time of publication. The dispute highlights the growing tension between urban housing development, wetland protection and water security in Harare, as authorities face increasing pressure to balance housing demand with environmental protection and planning regulations.

Glen Lorne housing development