There was controversy at a full council meeting on the evening of 25 February, when it emerged that senior management officials at city of Harare (CoH) granted permission for structural developments at Monavale wetland, a Ramsar site strictly protected by the Environmental Act.
Council heard that senior managers from the Department of Works signed letters at various times in February giving property developer Meadows (PVT) LTD permission to build 121 cluster houses, a school and a church on Stand 201 to the South of Monavale wetland.
The officials ignored a council directive that put the matter of the developments at Monavale up for further debate and consideration.
Council minutes showed that on 3 December 2015, the environmental committee had issued a permit authorizing the project, but on 11 December it had been sent back for review. This was either ignored, or not conveyed to the Department of Works, since soon after this, Meadows was sending out signed documents claiming that they had permission to carry out an EIA – a prerequisite for any development.
Residents of Monavale have already received letters from the developer’s consultant Plan Afric – the same firm that carried out the hotly disputed Environmental Impact Assessment for the Borrowdale wetland. Concerned community members have said that the Meadows plans are essentially the same as a plan submitted by one Mrs Patel to build on the vlei last year. The Patel application received more than 2,400 objections, which saw the matter quietly dropped from the agenda of a December council meeting, just ahead of the Meadows application.
Councillors at the February meeting quizzed the Environment Committee and the Town Clerk as to who gave the managers the go ahead to issue approval. In response the Town Clerk said that the officials had acted in the belief that the matter had been resolved.
Councillors Allan Markham and Wilton Janjazi said the whole story is very worrying because management is undermining council processes and making unilateral decisions that run against the position of councillors.
Residents, conservationists and environmental organisations rejected the planned developments as illegal and part of a plot to undermine the laws protecting wetlands.
Wetlands Forum Chairman Alain Chimanikire said the action by the city indicates denial of the laws protecting Harare’s water sources. “The laws are clear, the city and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) should just state to whosoever wants to develop, that developments are prohibited under the law,” said Chimanikire.
Long-time wetland advocate and director of Birdlife Zimbabwe, Julia Pierini, expressed frustration at the discussion. “We are going back and forth over this issue. Council should protect these areas as prescribed by laws” she said.
Harare and its satellite towns are facing acute water shortages as water tables drop and rivers dry up – a situation that environmentalists attribute in part to the destruction of Harare’s few remaining wetlands.
Image: Monovale wetland is a protected Ramsar Site.
Image Credit: Harry Davies
It is sad that so many consider themselves environmental experts and make a complete fool of themselves.
There are few of the worlds major cities that are not built on wetlands around river mouths.
The local myths that it will destroy underground water are just what I said, myths.
In fact when you cover a wetland there is obviously less evaporation and ultimately more water.
When wetlands are covered then there is again less pollution from rubbish dumped and less damage to the underground water system.
local engineer, disgusted with so many unqualified locals promoting rubbish.
I used to be suggested this blog through my cousin. I’m now not positive whether or
not this put up is written by means of him as nobody else know such unique about my problem.
You are amazing! Thanks!
Some truly good information, Gladiola I detected this. “Ideas control the world.” by James Abram Garfield.
I really enjoy looking at on this web site, it has good articles.
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any ways to help prevent content from being stolen? I’d truly appreciate it.
Hi my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include approximately all significant infos. I’d like to see more posts like this.
Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!
It?¦s really a great and useful piece of information. I?¦m satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with helpful information to paintings on. You’ve done a formidable activity and our whole group will likely be thankful to you.
Regards for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting info .
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be actually something which I believe I might by no means understand. It seems too complex and very huge for me. I’m looking forward on your subsequent submit, I will try to get the grasp of it!
you are really a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a great job on this topic!
I am glad to be one of many visitants on this great website (:, appreciate it for posting.