mbulelo smpofu
Leonard Ncube, leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw
GOVERNMENT has approved the Hwange Local Board (HLB) valuation roll, enabling the local authority to verify the status of all residential and non-residential properties under its jurisdiction.
This development also paves the way for HLB to recover over US$4 million in unpaid rates from property owners as of November 30 last year.
HLB, which administers areas east and north of Hwange Town, oversees more than 10 000 properties. The local authority has identified over 500 properties with outstanding balances for land value and servicing costs, some overdue for more than five years.
HLB’s acting town secretary, Mr Paulos Mabhureni, stressed the importance of compliance, urging property owners to verify their property status before February 19, 2025.
“The council’s valuation roll for both residential and non-residential properties was approved and certified by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in December 2024.
“Owners and occupiers of properties within Hwange Local Board jurisdiction were notified that the general valuation roll would take effect from January 1, 2025 and be binding for rating purposes, as stipulated by Section 263 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15),” he said.
The verification exercise will initially target the Don Bosco and Baobab Extension low-density zones, with plans to extend to other areas. Property owners in these zones have been encouraged to visit the council offices to resolve any outstanding issues.
“This call comes after concerns that some owners have outstanding balances for land value and servicing costs, with certain payments overdue for over five years,” said Mr Mabhureni.
Property owners who fail to meet the February 19 deadline risk repossession of their properties. Stands that are abandoned, derelict, or deserted may also be repossessed.
A public notice was issued, and an advertisement was published in the press on January 12, 2025, informing property owners of the verification process and deadline.
Mr Mabhureni highlighted the high compliance rate among property owners regarding development control policies.
“Of the 46 illegal structures identified during a planning exercise over two years ago, 30 were demolished by their owners in compliance with the council’s regulations,” he said.
Those targeted in the current phase are stands ranging from number 1642 to 1960 in Don Bosco, as well as those between 1132 and 1248 and 6978 to 7005 in Baobab North Extension.
The local authority views the verification exercise as a development control measure and aims to ensure all property owners comply with land value and servicing cost payments. Repossession procedures are being initiated for properties with outstanding payments.
