Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume said yesterday that many buildings in the capital had become death traps and were facing closure due to dilapidation.
Mafumi made the remarks after visiting a building that collapsed in the capital on Saturday afternoon, killing Yolanda Hodzi of Norton. And six were injured.
The building collapsed in Harare’s central business district at the corner of Chinhoyi and Bank Streets.
The cause of the collapse is still unknown and investigations are still ongoing.
In an interview with NewsDay, Mafumi apologized for the tragedy.
He added: “We regret this tragedy.”
“I am very saddened by what happened. It is very unfortunate that we only issued a notice a few weeks ago about the condition of buildings in the capital.
He added: “We will inspect them with the aim of closing buildings that do not meet standards and giving a timetable for renovating the buildings so that we do not record such tragedies in the future.”
Harare city last week
Writer Hosiah Chisango has issued an ultimatum to owners of dilapidated buildings.
“The City of Harare hereby gives notice to all property owners and occupiers of buildings in the Central Business District (CBD) and those outside the CBD, to renovate or renovate their buildings and/or properties either through repairs, refurbishments and/or ‘repainting’ “, the notice stated.
Chisango cited model building codes on the condition and occupancy of buildings.
“No person shall permit any building erected on premises owned or occupied by him to become (a) a danger to the health of persons occupying or using the building, or to the health of the public, or (b) a source of harm.” fumes, smoke or odors that are offensive, (c) are unsightly or disfiguring of the neighborhood, or (d) are in any other way offensive or embarrassing to persons living or working on the premises or in the neighborhood. Newsday
