Harare – The Harare Residents Trust (HRT) has strongly condemned what it describes as a covert attempt to convert a portion of Enterprise Road, specifically the intersection of Gletwyn and Powland Roads, into a car sales business, warning the move would lead to a “disaster” in traffic management.

In a statement released on Friday, the residents’ watchdog raised the alarm over visits to the location by senior city officials accompanied by unidentified business people.

The HRT claims these officials are observed “showing them the area” and making statements that a car sale is set to be established at the intersection, which is already classified as a high-accident zone.

The Trust is demanding that the City of Harare immediately reject the proposal, citing violations of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12), which requires due process for any developments.

“The Powland Intersection is a high accident zone. Traffic lights are solar powered and often function until around 4pm during winter,” read the statement. “Introducing a Car Sale business will increase pedestrian traffic, congestion, and the risk of fatal accidents.”

The HRT has since engaged various officials, including those from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, to raise awareness of the threats posed by the project if it materializes.

The organization has also raised significant concerns regarding land ownership and the integrity of municipal processes.

According to the HRT’s investigations, the road servitude in question belongs to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, not the City of Harare, though it falls under the city’s jurisdiction.

Citing road experts, the HRT noted that a 70-metre radius from the center of the road is required for future expansion.

“No development should therefore take place within the road servitude, unless they happen beyond the 70 metres radius,” the Trust stated, arguing that the land is public property held in trust for future infrastructure development.

Beyond halting the car sale, the HRT is calling for a broader investigation into the opaque manner in which land sales and developments have allegedly been taking place in Harare.

While they acknowledged that reports of deliberately manipulated minutes and backdated reports remain unsubstantiated, the organization noted that informed officials suggest this is a “common trend.” This, they argue, raises “more questions about the integrity of some of the officials responsible for critical functions within the council.”

“If we allow this car sale, we open the door for the sale of every road servitude, including wetlands and open space in Harare,” the statement warned.

The Trust is urging the municipality to protect and demarcate all road reserves for their intended purpose and to institute safety measures at the intersection to protect pedestrians, motorists, and vendors.

They have also called for an investigation into reports of extortion and harassment of vendors by municipal employees.

“We cannot trade road safety and the rule of law for private business interests. Public land belongs to the people. Our roads are not for sale,” the HRT concluded.