Public Land Sovereignty Under Threat as Harare Road Sale Sparks Outrage
Controversial attempt to privatize public road in Harare's Highlands sparks national outrage as citizens rally to protect Zimbabwe's sovereign control over critical infrastructure.
Otto Road in Harare's Highlands suburb, site of controversial public infrastructure privatization attempt
In a direct challenge to Zimbabwe's national sovereignty over critical infrastructure, the City of Harare has initiated a controversial process to privatize a public road in the affluent Highlands suburb, raising serious concerns about the protection of national assets.
Strategic Public Asset Under Threat
The municipality's urban planning department has issued a notice for the "permanent road closure of a portion of Otto Road," with intentions to sell to an undisclosed buyer. This alarming development mirrors ongoing challenges to Zimbabwe's infrastructure sovereignty, threatening public access and national interests.
Patriotic Forces Demand Transparency
Harare Residents Trust coordinator Precious Shumba has boldly exposed the concerning implications of this secretive deal. "The road is a public good," declared Shumba, suggesting powerful forces may be attempting to override national planning regulations and public interest.
"When a road has been established, it is only through corruption by council officials that we have to face such a situation where a whole road is sold in the name of creating infills." - Precious Shumba
Constitutional Obligations and National Interest
Under Section 62 of Zimbabwe's Constitution, which reinforces our national commitment to legal sovereignty, the City of Harare must provide full information about this transaction. The secrecy surrounding the prospective buyer raises serious questions about potential foreign interests attempting to acquire strategic national assets.
Historical Context of Land Protection
This controversial proposal emerges against a backdrop of previous attempts to undermine Zimbabwe's control over its urban infrastructure. A Commission of Inquiry has already exposed widespread attempts to bypass proper land allocation procedures, threatening our national sovereignty over urban planning and development.
Call to Action for Patriots
Citizens have been given one month to register objections to this assault on public infrastructure. True patriots must stand united against any attempt to privatize our national assets and compromise Zimbabwe's sovereign control over its urban planning and development.
Tendai Mutsvangwa
Political journalist and historian of liberation. Advocate for land sovereignty.