By Victor Fanuel
HARARE — Embattled bus operator Trip Trans was booted off disputed land in Harare’s Graniteside on Friday as council officials swooped in to enforce an order forcing the company to vacate the property.
Council officials arrived at the property amid tension, bringing to a head a long-running boundary dispute between Trip Trans and fellow transporter and businessman Ajara.
Trip Trans began removing its fleet of broken-down buses from the disputed land as the enforcement operation got underway, clearing the premises under the watch of council officials.
Removal of the buses paves the way for Ajara to proceed with construction on the contested portion, where bricks, sand and other building materials had already been delivered.
Ajara said efforts to resolve the dispute amicably had failed after Trip Trans allegedly resisted calls to vacate the property, forcing the businessman to seek council 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.
Correspondence dated August 28, 2026 shows that the City of Harare’s Department of Urban Planning Services had formally sought police security to enforce action against what it described as “illegal encroachments” on Stand 40783 in Graniteside.
According to the letter addressed to the officer-in-charge of Braeside Police Station, the enforcement operation was scheduled for September 4, 2026, after occupants had been notified but allegedly failed to comply.
Council said it would provide the equipment, manpower and fuel required for the operation.
Samuel Nyabezi, then acting director of Urban Planning Services, signed the letter.
A separate departmental memorandum dated August 28 also directed the Development Control Section and other stakeholders to carry out enforcement action against the alleged “illegal encroachments” on Stand 40783.
Signed by Nyabezi, the memorandum was addressed to the Chamber Secretary and copied to the acting town clerk and Harare Metropolitan Police.
Harare Metropolitan Police were requested to provide security for the operation, which was scheduled for 8am on September 4.
Occupants had been notified of the enforcement action but, according to the memorandum, failed to comply with the council’s directive.
