Wetlands project row resurfaces
Monday, 07 February 2011 10:27
BY JENNIFER DUBE
HARARE-based environmentalists are not happy that after “successfully”
blocking construction at an open space in Borrowdale, the land developer has
put up yet another notice expressing intention to revive the project.
A Ukranian company, Augur Investments, is said to be considering building a
multi-purpose business complex on land which activists say is unsuitable for
such a project because it is a wetland.
“We objected to the change of use of that wetland last year and we are
worried that these people have decided to defy that,” Dorothy Wakeling of
the Conservation Society of Monovale said.
“Many people, including residents and officials at neighbouring Dandaro
Retirement Village, registered their objection back then.
“This is madness; as a country, we should keep these wetlands safe as they
are good for our rivers especially considering our dry weather.”
An official at Dandaro said they were also disappointed by the planned
construction of a complex they understand will host a hospital, hotels and
cinemas.
A council official said the City Fathers objected to the intended change of
use because the wetland is the source of Gwebi River.
“As council, we have said that land shall remain earmarked for recreational
purposes and we do not intend to approve the change of its land-use,” the
source said.
“A full council meeting tasked an investigations committee to probe the
acquisition of that piece of land which it feels was improperly done.
“The papers we have seen made us suspicious because the developer shares an
address with Harvest Net Investments, which we know as belonging to Local
Government, Urban and Rural Development minister Ignatius Chombo.”
In an email response to questions, Augur’s managing director, Mike van
Blerk, through his assistant Kerry Stubbs confirmed that a project is under
consideration by his company and they would abide by the country’s laws in
pursuing their interests.
He would not say what project they intended to carry out and distanced his
company from Chombo and Harvest Net.
Harare mayor Muchadei Ma-sunda said he suspects the people seeking to
develop the land were merely re-submitting their proposal with the hope of
overcoming the objections raised earlier.
He said this was allowed and those with objections can still raise them.
Masunda said the city’s plan clearly indicates what type of development is
expected at each given area.
However, he said a developer is allowed to seek to change the land use.
Activists last week asked Environment and Natural Resources Management
minister, Francis Nhema to help them stop the exploitation of the Borrowdale
Vlei.
The environmentalists have in the past opposed projects by businessman
Phillip Chiyangwa and a local commercial bank.