Source: Council warns of wall collapses as heavy rains persist – herald
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
The City of Harare has warned residents to comply with building regulations after heavy rains caused the collapse of several boundary and mass retaining walls across the city.
Acting Town Clerk, Engineer Phakamile Moyo, said council was concerned that many walls were failing because rainwater was not being properly channeled.
“Blocking the natural flow of rainwater or allowing it to accumulate within properties results in the collapse of boundary and retaining walls,” he said.
Eng Moyo reminded homeowners that under Chapter 5, Section 55 Table XIII of the Model Building By-laws (MBBLs) (1977) and Section 39 of the Zimbabwe Roads Act (2016) (Chapter 13:18), all boundary and mass retaining walls must be fitted with a minimum of four 100mm diameter weep-holes at ground level, positioned to allow rainwater to flow along servitudes within the property boundaries.
He said it was an offence to build walls without council approval or to block a neighbour’s weep-holes.
“The City of Harare will not hesitate to impose hefty penalties and, in some cases, enforce compliance through demolition or adjustment of non-compliant walls,” Eng Moyo said.
Residents have been urged to consult the City Architecture Division, Building Inspectorate Section, for guidance on proper wall construction and weep-hole installation.
The council’s warning comes amid a season of unusually heavy rainfall, which has exposed structural weaknesses in walls across the city, putting both property and public safety at risk.
The post Council warns of wall collapses as heavy rains persist appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.