In light of yesterday’s reports that the government plans to demolish all houses and developments around the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport area including Arlington Estate and Retreat Suburb.
Arlington Estate has come out to set the record straight and assure its valued stakeholders that the posh houses were not going to be demolished as had been attributed by Harare Metropolitan Province Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Tafadzwa Muguti.
In a statement, Arlington Estate assured its stakeholders and the nation as a whole that all developments in the area were done in strict adherence to relevant laws.
Africa Metro is publishing the statement in its entirety:
Dear valued Stakeholders of Arlington Estate
Following statements appearing in the Press on 25 January 2022 regarding the alleged non-compliance of Arlington Estate with certain laws and the threat of demolition of certain properties, we the developers of the Remainder of Arlington Estate, commonly known as Arlington Estate, would like to advise our stakeholders that over the past 15 years, we have developed the Estate in strict compliance with the following:
- The Southern Incorporated Areas Local Development Plan No.31 which designates the Remainder of Arlington Estates as mixed density residential land,
- The approved Permit Number SD1750/04 dated 14 June 2005 issued by the City of Harare in terms of the Regional, Town and Country Act (Chapter 29:12) creating residential and ancillary services Stands
- An approved stands Cadastral Survey in terms of the Survey Act (Chapter 20:12), and
- An Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA“) Certificate issued in terms of the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27)
In line with the above, the development has been issued with Certificates of Compliance in terms of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) and we have to date transferred title to more than 550 homeowners in terms of the Deeds Registry Act (Chapter 20:25).
To date, the validity of the cited licenses and permits have not been formally or otherwise contested. We will keep you updated on any developments pertaining to the Estate and assure you that this is receiving our full attention.
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| Arlington Estate Speaks Out Against Demolition Reports |
Speaking during an interview with the State media, National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe said there would not be any demolitions as President Mnangagwa last year gifted Zimbabweans, specifically urbanites, with title deeds.
“As far as we are concerned, no house will be demolished and any communication to the contrary is misleading. Indeed, anything contrary to that is fake news. That houses in Arlington Estate will be demolished was not the correct position,” Minister Garwe said.
