Government threatens jail for property owners over dilapidated buildings

According to iHarare and NewZimbabwe.com, Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe ordered all 92 local authorities to crack down on dilapidated buildings, threatening owners with fines and up to six months in jail. The directive targets urban decay but raises questions about enforcement capacity and property rights, as many owners may lack resources to comply. Garwe's ultimatum applies nationwide and reflects the government's push to improve urban aesthetics, but critics warn it could lead to arbitrary enforcement and displacement of vulnerable property owners. The policy highlights the tension between urban renewal and property rights in Zimbabwe.