CHITUNGWIZA – A massive commercial development set to rise in Chigovanyika, St Mary’s, has hit a significant stumbling block after the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Brighton Mazhindu, formally lodged a strong objection to the proposed change of reservation and regularization of land currently designated for public use.

In a letter dated 15 September 2026, addressed to the Provincial Planning Officer and copied to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, the Chitungwiza Town Clerk, the Director of Works, and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Mazhindu formally objected to the application advertised in terms of Section 49(4) as read with Section 27 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12).

The application, which was published in a local newspaper, seeks to transform land currently reserved for a Public Open Space and Bus Terminus under Approved Plan SL 610 and Plan CF 37 into commercial use. The proposal, driven by the Chitungwiza Municipality, aims to create 72 commercial stands.

However, in a scathing three-page objection, the legislator argued that the proposed development is not only ill-advised but poses a severe threat to the already fragile infrastructure and service delivery in the densely populated suburb.

“I write to formally lodge my objection to the application advertised… concerning the proposed change of reservation and regularization of land currently reserved for Public Open Space and Bus Terminus to commercial use at Chigovanyika, St Mary’s, Chitungwiza,” read part of the letter.

Mazhindu outlined several planning and service-delivery grounds for his objection, primarily focusing on the issue of overdevelopment. He noted that the creation of 72 commercial stands would place an untenable strain on an already constrained area.

He argued that commercial development of this magnitude requires adequate space not only for buildings but also for critical supporting infrastructure such as parking, loading, and unloading zones, pedestrian movement, emergency services, and waste collection.

The MP highlighted that the area lacks sufficient space to accommodate the parking requirements associated with 72 commercial stands. He warned that approving such a development without designated parking would result in vehicles parking along roads, on pedestrian areas, and other undesignated spaces, thereby worsening congestion and creating significant safety risks.

Furthermore, Mazhindu raised serious concerns regarding access roads and road servitudes. He pointed out that proper access must be provided for residents, customers, delivery vehicles, refuse collection vehicles, ambulances, and fire engines. He warned that any development that restricts emergency and municipal vehicle services poses a significant public safety risk.

One of the most pressing issues raised in the objection is the absence of adequate sewer infrastructure. Mazhindu noted that St Mary’s and Chitungwiza already experience serious sewer infrastructure challenges. Adding 72 commercial properties without first demonstrating sufficient sewer capacity risks worsening sewer blockages, overflows, and environmental pollution.

He specifically mentioned that commercial premises, particularly food outlets, butcheries, bars, and similar businesses, can place substantial additional demand on sanitation infrastructure.

The legislator also expressed concern over the loss of land reserved for public purposes. He argued that public open spaces and transport infrastructure serve an important long-term planning purpose. Once such space is converted into commercial stands, it becomes extremely difficult and costly to recover it for future public use. He emphasized that St Mary’s is a densely populated community and should not lose scarce public land without compelling justification and meaningful consultation with affected residents.

Mazhindu further requested that before any change of reservation is considered, there should be a comprehensive assessment of the capacity of the surrounding roads, drainage, sewerage, water supply, waste-management systems, and other municipal infrastructure to accommodate the proposed 72 commercial stands.

The legislator made a series of demands to the Provincial Planning Officer. He requested that the Minister of Local Government and Public Works and the Provincial Planning Officer decline the proposed change of reservation and regularization in its present form.

Alternatively, he stated that no approval should be granted until the applicant has produced a comprehensive layout and infrastructure report demonstrating adequate parking, access roads, road servitudes, sewer and water services, storm-water drainage, refuse collection arrangements, emergency access, and environmental safeguards. He also insisted that affected residents and stakeholders must be adequately consulted.

“I further request that the relevant authorities conduct a physical site inspection involving the Provincial Planning Office, Chitungwiza Municipality and representatives of the affected community before determining this application,” Mazhindu wrote.

He emphasized that while development is necessary for the growth of St Mary’s, it must be properly planned, adequately serviced, environmentally sustainable, and consistent with the long-term interests of residents. He warned that regularization should not be used to legitimize development where the necessary infrastructure and planning requirements cannot be satisfied.

The letter was formally recorded as an objection to the application within the prescribed objection period.

The notice, issued by the Provincial Planning Officer, had given members of the public 30 days from the date of publication to lodge objections or make representations. The application sought to transfer the affected property free from any restrictions limiting the use of the land to Public Open Space.

The news of the objection has been met with mixed reactions from residents, many of whom have long complained about the lack of public amenities and the deteriorating infrastructure in Chitungwiza. While some see the commercial stands as a potential economic boost, others fear that the development will exacerbate the town’s chronic water and sewer problems.

The ball is now in the court of the Provincial Planning Officer and the Minister of Local Government, who must weigh the economic potential of the 72 stands against the damning infrastructural realities highlighted by the constituency’s representative. For now, the proposed Chigovanyika commercial venture remains in limbo, pending the outcome of the objection and the requested site inspection.