MAZOWE — Mazowe Rural District Council has ordered the closure and demolition of illegal structures and unauthorised developments across wards 1 to 35.
📰 For this and more exclusive stories, read our weekly digital print edition.
Read E-PaperAccording to a statement issued by Mazowe Rural District Council, the notice was dated September 29, 2026 and signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Mazowe Rural District Council.
The order was issued under Section 32 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act [Chapter 29:12] and is also linked to the National Clean Up, Restoration and Safety Programme.
“The council is targeting “all illegal vendors, owners of illegal buildings, occupiers of unauthorised workspaces, unregistered private schools, creches and churches” operating in the affected areas,” he said.
The areas covered include Mt Pleasant Heights, Christon Bank, Mazowe, Concession, Glendale, Nzvimbo, Rosa RSC, Gweshe RSC and Nyakudya RSC.
The order also covers “all Business Centres and all other areas in ward 1 to 35 of Mazowe Rural District Council.”
The council said some developments in these areas were being carried out without the required development permits.
Affected people have been ordered to “Discontinue the use of the occupied land”, “Demolish all the illegal structures” and “Restore the land to its original condition as it was before any developments.”
The council said: “THIS ORDER TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.”
However, those affected have the right to appeal against the order.
“In terms of Section 38 of the Act anyone who feels aggrieved may lodge an appeal with Mazowe RDC,” the notice states.
The council said activities on the affected land would remain suspended while an appeal is being considered or until it is withdrawn.
It also warned that it could issue a Prohibition Order to stop activities covered by the enforcement notice.
The council further said the order would apply to any new developments on the affected land.
It warned that failure to comply could result in penalties, including the cost of restoring the land being passed on to the owner.
“The attention of the persons served with this notice is drawn to Section 32 and 33 of the Act which provide respectively that this enforcement order shall have effect against any subsequent development on the land concerned and for penalties (including the restoration of the land at the expense of the owner) for non-compliance with the provision of this notice,” the council said.
The latest order puts illegal construction, businesses and unregistered institutions across Mazowe under increased scrutiny as the local authority moves to enforce planning regulations.
