Harare city fails to explain ‘illegal’ fuel station boom

By Darlington Gatsi

Harare – The Harare City Council (HCC) is facing mounting pressure to explain the rapid proliferation of fuel stations in the capital city.


Concerns about potential corruption and underhanded dealings within the municipality have intensified as the Commission of Inquiry into HCC operations continues its work.


Led by retired Justice Maphios Cheda, the Commission, established by president Emmerson Mnangagwa in May to investigate a range of issues related to the council’s operations.

The mushrooming of fuel stations, particularly in seemingly inappropriate locations, has become a focal point of scrutiny.

Harare has witnessed a significant increase in the number of fuel stations, with some being located close to residential areas, potentially violating city bylaws.

This rapid growth has raised questions about the transparency of the permitting process and whether there may be undue influence at play.

HCC Committee chairperson on Works and Town planning Takudzwa Dzumbunu last week battled to explain to the Commission how the fuel stations have been granted permission in unsuitable areas.


“First I will respond to the one on Argyle. It is provided for in the local development plan which was advertised and adopted.

“They do not even come to the Committee for us to make a decision,” she said.


“The one on Churchill and Domboshava got a permit before I became the chairperson.


“The one on West I am not sure about that but the major challenge there is that a property owner is allowed to change use of their area if they want to go commercial and currently we do not have a law that stops them from doing that,” added Dzumbunu.


The proximity of some fuel stations has raised eyebrows on the criteria being used by the City Council in approving these plans.


“Some of these service stations were approved by the previous committee and some of them fall under the local development plan,” said Dzumbunu.


When quizzed by Cheda about whether her committee approved the establishment of fuel stations Dzumbunu said:


“No some, like I indicated some.

“The local development plan sometimes brings in new uses and in this particular one, it then gave into the commercial mixed-use zone on Argyle Road in Avondale,” she said.

“On that particular plan there are areas earmarked for service stations on a plan,” added Dzumbunu.

Source – NewZimbabwe.com

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