By Tichaona Katsvamutima
Property owners in Chinhoyi have been given two weeks to repair, refurbish or repaint dilapidated and unsightly buildings, as the city steps up urban renewal efforts ahead of this year’s ZANU-PF Annual National People’s Conference.
The directive comes as Chinhoyi Municipality has already embarked on road rehabilitation and other works to improve the city’s outlook ahead of the ruling party gathering, raising the possibility that the latest push targeting neglected buildings forms part of broader preparations to spruce up the provincial capital.
However, the Municipality of Chinhoyi does not explicitly link the notice to the forthcoming ruling party conference.
In a public notice issued by Town Clerk Biriat Tasarira, the municipality said some buildings were in a condition that contravened provisions of the Model Building By-Laws of 1977.
The local authority ordered affected property owners and occupants to “renew or regenerate their buildings and/or properties either through repairs, refurbishments and/or repainting.”
Council specifically identified buildings along Magamba Way, Commercial Street and Midway Street, although it stressed that the directive extends to other streets.
“Buildings and properties requiring renewal are found along Magamba Way, Commercial Street, Midway Street and all other streets not mentioned,” the municipality said.
Under the by-laws cited by council, property owners should not allow buildings to deteriorate to a point where they become dangerous to occupants or the public, produce unpleasant fumes, smoke or odours, or become “unsightly or a disfigurement to the neighbourhood.”
Affected property owners have been given two weeks to comply or submit written representations to the Town Clerk.
Council warned that failure to comply could result in enforcement action under Section 56 of the Model Building By-Laws.
The timing of the ultimatum is likely to attract attention given the ongoing preparations for the ruling party conference, which is expected to bring thousands of delegates and senior government and party officials to Chinhoyi.
While council has presented the exercise as an urban renewal requirement, the combination of road rehabilitation and the fresh directive on deteriorating buildings suggests the city is accelerating efforts to improve its appearance ahead of the high-profile gathering.
