UMGUZA Rural District Council (URDC) has suspended processing of subdivision permits in Upper and Lower Rangemore which fall under Mbundane as the Local Government and Public Works and National Housing ministry headed by Ignatius Chombo has not provided a development plan covering the area. CHIEF REPORTER
Construction of houses in these two areas has for long been shrouded in controversy with URDC chief executive officer Collen Moyo recently saying Mbundane residents in Bulawayo’s Upper Rangemore area were illegally settled by the land developer Mehluli Khumalo of Land Developers against the municipal’s procedures.
In a public notice on Tuesday, Moyo warned prospective land seekers from engaging with any land developers.
“Potential land developers in Umguza RDC are advised that processing of subdivision permits of Upper and Lower Rangemore has been suspended until further notice, as Local Government and Public Works and National Housing ministry is yet to produce a concept plan for the whole area.
“Members of the public are strongly advised to confirm with Umguza RDC offices before engagement with any land developer in the areas as stated above to avoid unnecessary inconveniences,” Moyo said.
Moyo recently told Southern Eye that the problems Mbundane residents faced were as a result of the irregularities caused by Habek Enterprises — the company responsible for servicing stands in the area.
He said according to council procedures, the land developer was supposed to meet conditions stipulated in the permit for the subdivision of land. Part of the conditions which the land developer was supposed to fulfil, according to the local authority, included a reticulated water supply system.
Mbundane, built in 2005 with a capacity of about 2 000 stands, is located in Lower Rangemore and falls under URDC although it is within the Bulawayo master plan. Disagreements between the developer and the URDC have resulted in the suburb going for the past five years without water and residents in the area rely on one borehole for water.
