HARARE — Residents of Glen Lorne are urging the government to halt a disputed cluster housing development, alleging that continued construction by Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd is damaging a wetland and could have long-term consequences for Harare’s future water supply.
“Glen Lorne, Greystone Park and Hatcliffe have never had reliable water. We’ve been waiting for years for Kunzvi Dam to be built,” one resident, who requested anonymity, 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.”
The remarks come as residents appealed to Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe to immediately halt activities at the disputed cluster housing development on Lytham Road, alleging that developer Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd has ignored repeated government directives to suspend all works and has continued earthworks and other activities near the Umwinsi River.
In a letter 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), the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and Parliamentary Portfolio Committees, the residents warned of “irreversible environmental harm” if work continued.
The appeal follows a meeting convened by Garwe on Aug. 3. A copy of the ministry’s invitation letter seen by this publication shows Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd, the Nyaguvi Sub-Catchment Council, EMA, ZINWA, the City of Harare and the Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association were invited to discuss the proposed gated cluster housing development on Stand 4717, Glen Lorne Township.
The invitation states: “You are hereby invited to a meeting to discuss matters relating to proposed gated cluster housing development at Stand 4717 of Glen Lorne Township.”
Residents allege that during the Aug. 3 meeting, government officials directed Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd to immediately cease all works pending the resolution of outstanding legal and regulatory issues. This publication has not independently verified what was said during the meeting, and the ministry has not publicly released minutes of the proceedings.
The dispute also centres on the planning approval process. A public notice issued by the City of Harare under the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, seen by this publication, invited objections to an application for a permit to construct an 89-unit cluster housing development on Stand 4717, Glen Lorne Township. The notice advised that anyone wishing to object or make representations should lodge them with the local planning authority within one month.
Residents claim the public notice was published only after boreholes had already been drilled and indigenous trees cleared at the site. They further allege that work had commenced before the planning process had been concluded.
According to the residents, more than 400 objection letters and signatures opposing the development were submitted during the consultation process. They said a total of 452 written objections were ultimately acknowledged by government officials, reflecting what they described as overwhelming public opposition to the project.
The residents acknowledged EMA’s position that approximately 70% of the property is classified as non-wetland and 30% as wetland. However, they said EMA Director General reportedly advised during a site meeting on July 10 that the Environmental Impact Assessment permit had been revoked for review following concerns over the integrity of the assessment process and the omission of residents’ objections.
Residents further allege that during a site inspection, Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution Tafadzwa Muguti instructed the developer to cease all works and specifically directed that nine boreholes, which he reportedly stated had been drilled without the required permits — including one approximately 15 metres from the Umwinsi River — be sealed. They say the river is already showing signs of reduced flow and expressed concern that continued groundwater abstraction could worsen environmental degradation.
According to the residents, video footage recorded this week allegedly shows the boreholes continuing to operate despite those directives, with pumping reportedly audible across the surrounding neighbourhood. They argue this demonstrates disregard for instructions issued by senior government officials.
The residents further alleged that Zhuomu International resumed work shortly after the Aug. 3 meeting despite what they say were clear instructions that no further works should be undertaken until all outstanding legal and regulatory issues had been resolved.
They also allege that, in addition to constructing a perimeter wall, the developer carried out grading outside the approved development boundary, entered adjoining land believed to include council and neighbouring properties, and undertook earthworks adjacent to the Umwinsi River, including the apparent dumping of soil into the river.
Residents claim hundreds of indigenous trees have been cleared during the course of the development and say the Forestry Commission is investigating the matter and intends to impose penalties where legislation has been breached.
They further argue that the perimeter wall could obstruct the natural flow of rainwater into the valley, increasing the risk of flooding along Lytham Road and neighbouring properties.
“We respectfully request that all works cease pending completion of all legal and regulatory processes,” the residents said in their letter, urging authorities to investigate the alleged activities, enforce previous government directives and clarify the legal basis for any continued work.
Another resident, who also requested anonymity, described the development as “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,” the resident said. “Instead, activities have continued, trees have been destroyed and the Umwinsi River remains under threat.”
Residents also alleged that some officials had been compromised but provided no evidence to support the claim. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
The residents singled out Muguti and Ndlovu as officials they believed had taken their concerns seriously and sought to ensure due process was followed.
They warned that if the alleged activities continued without intervention, they would seek urgent relief from the High Court to preserve the status quo pending judicial determination.
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 not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
