HARARE — Residents of Glen Lorne have appealed to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to immediately halt activities at a disputed cluster housing development on Lytham Road, alleging that developer Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd has ignored repeated government directives to suspend all works and has continued earthworks and other activities near the Umwinsi River.

In a letter addressed to Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe and copied to Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Evelyn Ndlovu, the Office of the President and Cabinet, the City of Harare, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and Parliamentary Portfolio Committees, the residents said they feared “irreversible environmental harm” if work continued.

The appeal follows a meeting convened by Garwe on Aug. 3. A copy of the ministry’s invitation letter seen by this publication shows that Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd, the Nyaguvi Sub-Catchment Council, EMA, ZINWA, the City of Harare and the Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association were invited to discuss the proposed gated cluster housing development on Stand 4717, Glen Lorne Township.

The invitation states: “You are hereby invited to a meeting to discuss matters relating to proposed gated cluster housing development at Stand 4717 of Glen Lorne Township.”

Residents allege that during the Aug. 3 meeting, government officials directed Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd to immediately cease all works pending the resolution of outstanding legal and regulatory issues. This publication has not independently verified what was said during the meeting, and the ministry has not publicly released minutes of the proceedings.

The dispute also centres on the planning approval process. A public notice issued by the City of Harare under the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, seen by this publication, invited objections to an application for a permit to construct an 89-unit cluster housing development on Stand 4717, Glen Lorne Township. The notice advised that any person wishing to object or make representations should lodge them with the local planning authority within one month.

Residents claim the public notice was published only after boreholes had already been drilled and indigenous trees cleared at the site. They further allege that work had commenced before the planning process had been concluded.

According to the residents, more than 400 objection letters and signatures opposing the development were submitted during the consultation process. They said a total of 452 written objections were ultimately acknowledged by government officials, reflecting what they described as overwhelming public opposition to the project.

The residents acknowledged EMA’s position that approximately 70% of the property is classified as non-wetland and 30% as wetland. However, they said EMA Director General reportedly advised during a site meeting on July 10 that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) permit had been revoked for review following concerns over the integrity of the assessment process and the omission of residents’ objections.

Residents further allege that during a site inspection, Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution Tafadzwa Muguti instructed the developer to cease all works and specifically directed that nine boreholes, which he reportedly stated had been drilled without the required permits — including one approximately 15 metres from the Umwinsi River — should be sealed. The residents say the river is already showing signs of reduced flow and expressed concern that continued abstraction could worsen environmental degradation.

According to the residents, video footage recorded on Wednesday and Thursday this week allegedly shows the boreholes continuing to operate despite those directives, with pumping reportedly audible across the surrounding neighbourhood. They argue this demonstrates a blatant disregard for instructions issued by senior government officials.

The residents further alleged that Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd resumed work shortly after the Aug. 3 meeting despite what they say were clear instructions that no further works should be undertaken until all outstanding legal and regulatory issues had been resolved.

They allege that, in addition to constructing a perimeter wall, the developer carried out grading outside the approved development boundary, entered adjoining land believed to include council and neighbouring properties, and undertook earthworks adjacent to the Umwinsi River, including the apparent dumping of soil into the river.

The residents said such activities, if confirmed, would extend beyond any approvals granted and require immediate enforcement action.

Residents also allege that hundreds of indigenous trees have been cleared during the course of the development and claim that the Forestry Commission is investigating the matter and intends to impose penalties where legislation has been breached.

They further expressed concern that the perimeter wall could obstruct the natural flow of rainwater into the valley, increasing the risk of flooding along Lytham Road and neighbouring properties.

“We respectfully request that all works cease pending completion of all legal and regulatory processes,” the residents said, urging authorities to investigate the alleged activities, enforce previous government directives and clarify the legal basis for any continued work.

One resident, who declined to be named for fear of reprisals, accused the developer of showing “blatant disregard” for the area’s wetlands.

“This has become an environmental disaster unfolding before our eyes. Government officials instructed that the works stop, the illegal boreholes be sealed and the environmental concerns be addressed. Instead, activities have continued, trees have been destroyed and the Umwinsi River remains under threat.”

Another resident, who also requested anonymity, said the dispute was about protecting water resources for northern Harare rather than opposing development.

“Glen Lorne, Greystone Park and Hatcliffe have never had reliable water. We’ve been waiting for years for Kunzvi Dam to be built,” the resident said. “This wetland they want to build on, even if it is only part of it, will affect the flow of water into Kunzvi Dam when it is built.”

The resident said preserving wetlands was essential to safeguarding water catchment areas for communities that already experience chronic water shortages.

Another resident alleged that some officials had been compromised but provided no evidence to support the claim. The allegations have not been independently verified.

Residents singled out Permanent Secretary Tafadzwa Muguti and Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Evelyn Ndlovu as officials they believed had taken their concerns seriously and had sought to ensure due process was followed.

The residents warned that if the alleged activities continued without intervention, they would seek urgent relief from the High Court to preserve the status quo pending judicial determination.

Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd could not immediately be reached for comment. EMA, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the Forestry Commission and the City of Harare had not responded to the residents’ latest allegations at the time of publication.