Source: New law sparks fears of job losses –Newsday Zimbabwe
A NEW government regulation amending the Architects Act is expected to trigger massive job losses among unregistered plan drafters and significantly increase the cost of building plans, according to a Bulawayo City Council report.
The promulgation of Statutory Instrument (SI) 56 of 2025, which amends the Architects Act, has raised alarm over its impact on livelihoods and urban development.
BCC’s latest report on the SI’s enforcement outlines the following concerns.
Council director for housing and community services Dictor Khumalo said he received communication from the Architectural Council of Zimbabwe regarding the SI.
The key amendment removes a critical exemption from the original Act.
“Previously, drawing plans for private residential dwellings and other developments with a floor area of less than 400m² was exempted,” the report said.
“The amendment now requires that all building plans submitted to council must be prepared by registered draftspersons or architects.”
The SI outlines categories of registered professionals and specifies their scope of practice based on the project’s floor area.
The council report warned that the amendment “will impact negatively on livelihoods”.
“It eliminated individuals who has been drawing plans for years and making a living through this activity, who do not meet the institute’s registration requirements,” the report read.
It also prevents developers with personal drafting skills from drawing plans for their own homes.
Furthermore, the change is predicted to make plan production “more expensive”, as professional drafting fees are a percentage of a project’s estimated value — ranging from 12% for small developments to 6% for large ones.
Council warned that the cost surge “would most likely result in an upsurge of unapproved developments as some developers may attempt to circumvent the costs.”
The report sparked heated debate among councillors, with most expressing deep concern.
Councillor Melisa Mabeza did not support the report’s recommendations.
Councillor Ashton Mhlanga highlighted the volume of ongoing construction and argued that residents needed assistance.
He advocated for more “over-the-counter” pre-drawn plans and a faster approval process.
Councillors Nkosilathi Hove Mpofu and Shepherd Sithole focused on the prohibitive new costs.
Hove Mpofu suggested that council could hire architects to offer subsidised services, while Sithole proposed engaging legislators to lobby central government for policy review — a view supported by councillor Felix Madzana.
Councillor Roy Sekete suggested protecting unregistered draftspersons by having them submit plans through a registered architect, with council establishing a help desk.
Councillor Donaldson Mabuto warned that residents may blame council for the fee hike, adding that the policy was “not investor-friendly”.
Councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu offered a divergent view, seeing it as a “new revenue stream” and suggesting that council sets up a drafting desk.
In response to enquiries, Khumalo confirmed that the council sells standard “over-the-counter” plans (BB3, BB5, BB7), but a custom site plan is still required. The approval process takes about three weeks.
Mayor David Coltart noted that the policy was likely designed to reduce substandard plans and protect professional domains.
“Council should consider employing more architects that assist residents,” he stated, advising a budget review for such recruitment.
Town clerk Christopher Dube, however, underscored council’s constrained position.
“This is a new central government policy and not much can be done,” he said.
“Local authorities are supposed to adhere to the policy regulation.”
Council is bound to publish a public notice to inform developers that full compliance will take effect from November 1, 2025.
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