Road Reserves Under Siege: City of Harare Issues Stern Warning to Property Owners

HARARE — The City of Harare has launched a crackdown on residents and business owners who are illegally occupying and damaging public road infrastructure, warning that offenders will face stiff penalties and direct charges to their municipal accounts. In a public notice issued this week, the local authority expressed deep concern over a rising trend of "infrastructure lawlessness." This includes the unauthorized storage of building materials, illegal excavations, and the construction of "backyard" speed humps on public roads.

Acting Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo clarified that these activities are a direct breach of the Roads Act [Chapter 13:18]. The council has documented numerous cases where stormwater drains have been blocked by dumped rubble, and road servitudes (the land reserved for future road expansion or utilities) have been repurposed for private use.

Common violations identified by the City include:

• Obstruction: Storing sand, bricks, or aggregates on road verges and in drainage systems.

• Illegal Excavations: Digging across tarred or gravel roads to install water pipes or fiber cables without a municipal permit.

• Self-Styled Speed Humps: Constructing unapproved bumps, which often lack proper signage and pose a risk to motorists.

• Unauthorized Engineering: Building private driveways or drainage links without approved city engineering plans.

Mabhena Moyo emphasized that these activities do more than just create an eyesore they lead to the rapid deterioration of the city's already fragile road network. Blocked stormwater drains, in particular, are the primary cause of flash flooding and the development of potholes during the rainy season.

"These actions compromise public safety and damage taxpayer-funded infrastructure," the Acting Town Clerk warned.

In a move to ensure compliance, the City of Harare announced that it will not wait for court dates to settle these fines. Unpaid penalties will be automatically added to the property owners’ rates accounts without further notice.

The Harare Residents Trust (HRT) has urged residents to seek formal approval before embarking on any roadside modifications. "While we understand residents want to protect their streets or improve their homes, doing so outside the law risks your property being fined and your road being ruined for everyone," an HRT representative noted. Residents are encouraged to report illegal dumping or unauthorized roadworks to the City of Harare’s Department of Works or their local ward offices.

City of Harare Roads Act warning