City of Harare Denies Blame for Glen View Extension Flooding

The City of Harare has denied responsibility for the devastating floods in Glen View Extension, attributing the cause to an illegal settlement built without its permission by a private developer. This comes after videos of homes underwater circulated online, with residents blaming the council.

In a statement, the City of Harare claims that the flooded area is an irregular settlement developed by a private developer without council involvement. According to the council, the developer built the houses on wetlands without proper approved plans, drainage systems, or legal sewer connections. An Environmental Impact Assessment plan was also not in place.

The council has announced plans to summon the developer and contractor to address the drainage issues and prevent loss of life due to flooding. However, residents are questioning how the council was unaware of the development, given the connections to city services. On social media, users have raised concerns about the council's knowledge of the settlement and its responsibility for ensuring residents' safety during disasters.

The council's defense has sparked skepticism among citizens, with many questioning how the developer was able to establish connections to city services without the council's knowledge. Residents are also wondering why some illegal structures are demolished while others are left standing. The City of Harare has asked the public to stop sharing "false and alarming information," but residents are demanding clearer answers about the development.