MOST property owners are now complying with regulations and standards required by Council with regards to infrastructural development in its area of jurisdiction.
Hwange Local Board town planner Mr Themba Sibanda said most individuals and organisations embarking on infrastructural developments have improved adherence to Council`s requirements.
“Development control is a continuous process. However, we are receiving positive response from builders and property owners meeting our inspectorate team, which emphasises on the need for compliance with the model building bylaws,” he said.
In October last year, the local embarked on an exercise to identify illegal structures and developments in residential, commercial and industrial areas with a view of improving standards of facilities constructed within its locality.
Mr Sibanda however, said the local authority was facing a challenge to deal with historic infrastructural development anomalies.
“There are some historical development control issues in which we have been facing some resistance. Some property owners have been reluctant to comply especially those owning shops in Empumalanga Phase I and II areas. However, let me take this opportunity to warn such perpetrators, that their act of resistance is merely inviting stiffer penalties,” said Mr Sibanda.
Setting-up of illegal structures and developments currently attracts a fine of $129 000. Compliance in infrastructural development standards increases access to habitable buildings.
