Not Our Fault: City Of Harare Speaks On Massive Flooding In Glen View Extension

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. This comes after videos of homes underwater circulated online, with residents blaming the council. In a new statement, the city claims the flooded area is an illegal settlement built without its permission by a private developer. However, this explanation has left many asking how an entire neighbourhood could be built and connected to city services without the council knowing.

Council officials say they visited the area after seeing the viral videos. Their conclusion is that they are not at fault because they never approved the development.

Council Claims Ignorance, Points To Private Developer

The City of Harare was unequivocal in its statement, detailing why it believes the fault lies elsewhere. The council stated:

“The team established that contrary to the lies being peddled on social media platforms, the area is not under the City of Harare and is an irregular settlement. The developer named the settlement, Glen View Extension. The land belongs to a private developer who without any council involvement, developed the stands and sold to individuals.”

The statement went further to list the specific regulatory failures that, in the council’s view, caused the disaster:

“The developer did this without the necessary consultations and approvals from the City of Harare. The houses are built on wetlands. There is no proper approved plans, no drainage systems and sewer connections were done illegally. There is no Environmental Impact Assessment plan in place.”

As a result, the council announced its intended course of action, which focuses solely on the developer:

“As such, the City of Harare will immediately summon the developer and contractor to come up with a solution on the drainage system in the area to avert loss of lives due to flooding.”

Residents Ask: How Did This Happen Without Your Knowledge?

The council’s defence has sparked widespread scepticism. Citizens are questioning a major hole in the story: how were water, sewer, and possibly electricity connections established if the council was completely unaware?

On social media, user Ardie Mabasa pointedly asked the council:

“How does a developer connect to the city sewer line and you do not know about it?”

This question echoes the confusion of many. User Vincent Mapfumo raised another critical point, asking why the council demolishes some illegal structures but not others:

“Tinomboona ma demolitions ko uku sei kuchiriko if illegal? (We see you demolish other structures, so why is this one still here if it’s illegal?)”

Others challenged the council’s core responsibility. Neil Chamisa questioned who is accountable for people’s safety during a disaster:

“Who is responsible for the safety of residents during disasters, regardless of land status? People are already living there. Lives are at risk.”

The City of Harare ended its statement by asking the public to stop sharing “false and alarming information,” a request that has done little to quell the growing demand for clearer answers about how such a large-scale development could proceed under its watch.