BULLISH Trip Trans Bus Company has been removed from a disputed piece of land in Harare’s Graniteside industrial area following an enforcement operation by council officials.
The eviction brings a long-running boundary dispute between Trip Trans and fellow transporter and businessman Ajara to a new stage.
During the operation, Trip Trans started moving its fleet of broken-down buses from the property as council officials enforced the directive to vacate the site.
The removal of the buses is expected to allow Ajara to proceed with construction activities on the disputed section, where building materials, including bricks and sand, had already been delivered.
Ajara said efforts had initially been made to resolve the matter directly with Trip Trans before council was approached for intervention.
“We engaged Trip Trans, but there seemed to be resistance until we engaged council for intervention.
“We have left council to do its work,” said Ajara.
The dispute centres on Stand 40783 in Graniteside, with the City of Harare describing the occupation of the disputed area as an “illegal encroachment”.
In correspondence dated August 28, 2026, the City of Harare’s Department of Urban Planning Services requested police assistance during an enforcement operation at the property.
The letter, addressed to the Officer-in-Charge of Braeside Police Station, stated that the operation had been scheduled for September 4, 2026.
According to the council, the occupants had been notified to vacate the area but had failed to comply with the directive.
Council also indicated that it would provide the equipment, manpower and fuel required for the enforcement exercise.
The letter was signed by Samuel Nyabezi, who was then serving as Acting Director of Urban Planning Services.
A separate memorandum dated August 28 also outlined plans by the Development Control Section and other relevant stakeholders to enforce council’s position regarding the alleged “illegal encroachments” on Stand 40783.
The memorandum, signed by Nyabezi, was addressed to the Chamber Secretary and copied to the Acting Town Clerk and Harare Metropolitan Police.
It requested police security for the operation, which was scheduled to begin at 8am on September 4.
The council said the occupants had been given notice but had not complied, prompting the planned enforcement action.