Chitungwiza – In a move aimed at curbing rampant illegal construction, the Chitungwiza Municipality has announced that from November 11, 2025, all building plans must be prepared and signed by registered architectural professionals.

The new directive, issued in line with Statutory Instrument 56 of 2025, is aimed at professionalizing the building process and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. The municipality has warned that plans submitted by unregistered persons will be rejected outright.

The announcement comes amidst ongoing challenges with illegal developments across the town. Acknowledging a specific concern raised by a resident, Mr. Mutyiri, regarding construction behind Hunyani Bar, the council admitted the site has been problematic.

“As Council, we have issued Stop Development Orders and have conducted two demolition exercises at that location,” a municipal statement read. “Unfortunately, the invasion and continued construction appear to be politically motivated, which has complicated enforcement efforts.”

The council assured residents that it is pursuing legal channels to address the issue, with a Prohibition Order and subsequent law enforcement action imminent, vowing that “the law will take its course.”

However, the new policy has been met with skepticism from local leadership. Brighton Mazhindu, the local Member of Parliament for St Mary’s has publicly doubted the municipality’s ability to enforce the more technical regulation.

“As a local MP and also a resident, I don’t think this will help stop illegal developments happening on roads, storm water drains and riverbanks and sewer pumpstations,” Mazhindu said.

“The local authority has failed to enforce simple by-laws, so I don’t see them succeeding with this plan, which is more complicated and technical.”

Chitungwiza Residents Association (Chitrest) Director Alice Kuvheya also said as residents, they hailed the development and appreciated it as a good move which could potentially curb illegal developments.

She said:

“As residents we applaud and we say the law must slide without favour but with transparency.”

The municipality’s standard procedure mandates that all building plans, once signed by professionals registered with the Architects Council of Zimbabwe (ACZ) or the Institute of Architects of Zimbabwe (IAZ), must be submitted to the Municipality’s Building Control Department for approval.

The process involves multiple inspections by the Building Inspectorate at key stages, including foundation laying, drainage installation, and structural completion. A building is only deemed fit for habitation after a final inspection is passed and a Certificate of Occupation is issued.

Council officials emphasize that they are empowered by law to take action against unapproved developments, including issuing stop orders and demolition notices. Developers who fail to comply face fines and may see their illegal structures demolished at their own cost.