Harare City Council Demolishes ‘Illegal’ Tuckshops at Mabelreign Shopping Centre

HARARE – The Harare City Council on Saturday demolished a cluster of tuckshops at Mabelreign Shopping Centre, citing illegal construction and violation of urban planning regulations in a move that has reignited debate over informal trading spaces in the capital. Council bulldozers moved in early morning, flattening the near-complete structures and leaving debris scattered across land designated for parking. The demolition follows growing efforts by the city to enforce compliance with planning laws and restore order in commercial areas.

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume defended the action, saying the structures had been erected without approved building plans and did not meet the city’s urban development standards.

“The reason why they were demolished is that there were no approved plans for the tuck-shops. It was on a place designated as a car park, and they were aesthetically not in keeping with a modern city,” Mafume told state media.

The tuckshops were reportedly constructed under the direction of Ward 16 Councillor Denford Ngadziore, although council officials maintain that due process was not followed.

The demolition comes amid intensified enforcement of by-laws governing informal trading and land use in Harare. According to the city’s planning regulations, all commercial structures must receive approval from both the Housing and Community Services Department and the Planning Committee before construction begins.

Urban planning expert and University of Zimbabwe lecturer, Dr. Tawanda Chirisa, said the move reflects a broader challenge facing African cities.

“There is always tension between formal urban planning and the realities of informal economies. However, unregulated developments can create long-term infrastructure problems, including congestion and reduced property values,” Chirisa said.

Shop owners and residents in Mabelreign described the demolition as sudden and disruptive.

“We just woke up to bulldozers tearing everything down. Some people had invested their savings here,” said local trader Miriam Dube.

Another resident, who declined to be named, said the structures had become a vital source of income.

“These tuckshops were going to help many families survive. The council should have engaged people first,” he said.

The controversy follows the leak of Report No. 169 DHCS 2026, prepared by the Department of Housing and Community Services, which proposed a “temporary modern mixed-use market facility” at the site. Mayor Mafume clarified that the project had not received full approval.

“What was approved was a desire to enter into a partnership. However, those approvals must go through the planning committee, which assesses suitability and compliance,” he said.

City authorities argue that the demolition is part of a broader strategy to modernise Harare’s ageing shopping centres and enforce sustainable urban development. Mafume added that informal, makeshift structures undermine property values and compromise long-term city planning goals. Urban policy analysts say the incident highlights the urgent need for inclusive planning frameworks that balance economic survival with regulatory compliance.

Harare City Council demolitions