Harare residents oppose proposed sale of public road to Mnangagwa’s son

HARARE – The City of Harare is facing a strong community protest as residents of Highlands have launched a petition to oppose the proposed sale of a public road to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, Collins, who has reportedly built a three storey building in the area and wants to close a portion of Otto Road, a public thoroughfare connecting Willowmead Lane to Collins Avenue.

The notice, published in The Herald on September 2, 2025, announced an application for the permanent closure of the section of that road.

In response, the Highlands Residents’ Association launched a petition that has so far gathered more than 1,000 signatures from residents, commuters, and community members.

The petition has raised five key objections to the proposed closure. Residents argue that Otto Road is a public asset and its sale would set a dangerous precedent for urban development by depriving future generations of shared infrastructure.

The road is also considered a safe route for pedestrians, domestic workers, schoolchildren, joggers, and cyclists. Its closure, petitioners say, would push vulnerable groups onto busier, more dangerous roads.

With Harare’s growing population, residents have argued that retaining all public roads and spaces will be vital for long-term planning and resilience.

The petition also noted that the closure would disproportionately affect people who rely on non-motorized transport, especially women, children, and low-income workers.

“The proposed closure appears to serve private interest at the expense of the broader community. Council has a duty to uphold transparency and protect public assets for collective benefit,” read part of the petition.

The Highlands Residents’ Association has since submitted the petition to the Town Clerk’s office at Cleveland House, urging the City of Harare to reject the application.

“We therefore respectfully request that the City of Harare reject the proposed application to close and sell the portion of Otto Road (i.e. Otto Drive, being the road connecting Willowmead Lane to Collins Avenue), Highlands, Harare.

“Please find attached a petition of objections signed by affected residents, commuters, and community members,” the petition stated.

Prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has amplified residents’ concerns, calling the planned sale part of a broader trend in which public assets are being privatised.

Writing on X, Chin’ono alleged that the application was being made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, although the public notice itself did not name the applicant.

Chin’ono criticized the City of Harare for failing to disclose key details, including the identity of the applicant, the purpose of the closure, and financial terms of the deal.

He argued that such information is essential for citizens to assess the fairness and legality of the transaction.

“Providing such information allows residents to scrutinise the deal, check for conflicts of interest, compare it with other transactions, and ensure that no insider deals or undervaluations are taking place,” Chin’ono wrote.

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, responding to the criticism, said the council was bound by legal procedures and could not comment on the merits of the application before the process was completed.

“The application is precisely in the public domain in terms of the law. As a lawyer and Mayor I cannot comment on it as I am the very same council that will consider the matter once the notice has been complied with,” Mafume said.

Pressed further on why the applicant’s identity was not disclosed, Mafume maintained that the notice complied with existing regulations, but noted that if residents believed otherwise, the process was “open to challenge.”

“I am sure the notice complies with the law. If not it will be open to challenge. If those details are material a reading of the law will assist. As I said I await the objections or lack thereof and we proceed,” Mafume stated.