City official recommends razing unauthorized hostel renovations at Jacob Mafume’s Belvedere residence after admission of permit violations.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume faces the prospect of demolition at his Belvedere property after converting it into a hostel without proper permits, just months after overseeing similar demolitions in the area.
City of Harare inspector David Wadarwa recommended demolishing the unauthorized renovations during testimony at the Harare Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired Judge Justice Maphios Cheda.
Wadarwa admitted to approving property inspections despite clear discrepancies between submitted plans and actual development. Under questioning, he revealed pressure from superiors led him to forge dates and approve six inspections in one day.
“It was an error on my part, Sir,” Wadarwa repeatedly told lead evidence officer Tapiwa Fresh Godzi. He committed to instructing Mafume to demolish the alterations and restore the property to its original approved state.
Samuel Nyabeza, Acting Director of Urban Planning, rejected Mafume’s hopes for retrospective approval through “regularisation,” declaring it legally impossible. He also questioned the unusual frequency of inspections at the mayor’s property.
Mafume, currently abroad, is scheduled to face the commission for questioning upon his return next week.
