The City of Harare has advised businesses and residents that all boundary walls and mass retaining walls must have at least four 100 mm diameter pipes installed at ground level to allow rainwater to flow naturally.
Acting Town Clerk, Phakamile Mabhena Moyo, said the council has received numerous reports of walls collapsing due to the heavy rains currently affecting the city.
Moyo added that, according to Chapter 5, Section 55, Table XIII of the Model Building By-laws (1977), including later amendments, and Section 39 of the Zimbabwe Roads Act (2016) (Chapter 13:18), all boundary and retaining walls must have a minimum of four 100 mm pipes at ground level to channel rainwater along its natural path. He added:
“These weeps must be positioned within the boundary lines of the stand so as to direct rainwater to flow within the servitudes.
“Blocking the natural flow of rainwater or allowing it to accumulate within properties results in the collapse of such boundary and retaining walls.”
Moyo said it is an offence for anyone to build a boundary or retaining wall without approval from the council. It is also illegal to block the natural flow of rainwater or to obstruct neighbouring weep holes.
He added that the City of Harare will not hesitate to impose heavy fines for such offences, and that in some cases, the council may enforce compliance by requiring the removal, adjustment, or even demolition of walls that do not meet the regulations.
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