Harare Residents Told To Remove Illegal Boundary Walls, Fences Along Water Pipeline

By Advent Shoko

Residents living along Dzivarasekwa’s Dzivakwe Road have been ordered to remove illegal boundary walls, fences and other structures built on a water pipeline servitude as Harare City Council prepares to replace ageing water pipes.

The directive forms part of an infrastructure upgrade that the local authority says is aimed at improving water supply in the area.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, Harare City Council said the works would be carried out in partnership with Helcraw Water between 27 July and 18 August 2026.

Residents Given Notice

The council urged affected residents and property owners to clear any illegal structures encroaching on the pipeline corridor to allow construction teams to work safely and without unnecessary delays.

The notice reads:

“The City of Harare, in collaboration with Helcraw Water, advises residents of Dzivakwe Road, Dzivarasekwa, that water pipe replacement works will be carried out from 27 July 2026 to 18 August 2026 as part of the ongoing programme to modernise water infrastructure and improve water supply in the area.

“Residents and property owners are requested to remove any illegal structures, boundary walls, fences, or other obstructions encroaching on the pipeline servitude to allow the works to proceed safely and without delay.”

The notice was signed by Acting Town Clerk Adv. W.S. Chiwawa.

Why The Structures Must Go

Pipeline servitudes are protected strips of land reserved for water, sewer or other public utility infrastructure. Building permanent structures on these corridors can make it difficult for councils to inspect, repair or replace underground pipes when faults occur.

Such obstructions can also delay emergency repairs during pipe bursts, increasing the risk of prolonged water outages and damage to surrounding properties.

By clearing the affected sections before construction begins, the council says contractors will have unrestricted access to replace old pipes and complete the project on schedule.

Part Of Water Infrastructure Upgrade

Harare has been battling ageing water infrastructure for years, with residents in many suburbs experiencing frequent pipe bursts, low water pressure and prolonged interruptions to water supplies.

The Dzivakwe Road project is one of several initiatives the city says are designed to modernise the capital’s water distribution network and improve service delivery.

While the council acknowledged that the works may inconvenience residents, it said the temporary disruption is necessary to achieve long-term improvements in water supply.