Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has confirmed that a double-storey building in Vainona will be demolished, despite the developer holding council-approved architectural plans and the structure now being fully finished.
The building at the corner of Alpes and Grant roads has become a flashpoint after it emerged that it encroaches on road frontage and extends onto Alpes Road.
Authorities first red-flagged the structure in 2024, but the developer has continued construction and recently completed painting and tiling.
Residents believe the improvements were meant to increase the building’s value and the potential cost of compensation, should the council follow through on demolition threats.
“We have issued the positions as policymakers that it was built wrongly.
“There is no problem in building, but the way it was built close to the road edge,” Mayor Mafume said.
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“It’s going to end with one result. It’s going to end in being brought down.”
However, Mafume said the city’s hands are tied by legal action from the owner.
“The owner… insists on keeping it the way it is, using a flurry of tactics which includes litigation,” he said, adding that the council will only have a clearer picture once court processes are complete.
When asked whether compensation would be paid given council errors in approving the building, Mafume said residents’ interests were his priority.
“I represent the residents; they are not happy with that structure, and we will comply with their wishes,” he said.
Last year, Acting Director of Urban Planning Samuel Nyabezi admitted the council erred and criticised building inspectors for approving plans without proper checks.
“Inspections were conducted by our building inspectors… some of them failed to think critically,” Nyabezi said.
“They simply approve every plan they receive with a stamp.”
