The
rise
of
informal
businesses
has
led
to
an
increase
in
new
constructions
and
the
conversion
of
old
buildings
into
retail
spaces.
Large
commercial
properties
are
being
repurposed
into
shopping
malls
with
subdivided
units
for
multiple
operators.
While
this
has
proven
profitable
for
property
owners,
concerns
about
the
legality
of
these
developments
are
growing,
with
some
lacking
approval
from
city
authorities.
Harare
City
Council
spokesperson
Stanley
Gama
told Business
Times
that
the
municipality
will
take
action
against
illegal
structures
and
unlicensed
operators.
Said
Gama:
New
malls
or
structures
have
to
be
approved
and
licensed
by
the
City
of
Harare.
Illegal
structures
will
be
demolished,
while
those
operating
without
licences
will
have
their
businesses
closed
down.
We
don’t
tolerate
lawlessness.
If
the
City
of
Harare
follows
through
with
its
warnings,
several
newly
established
malls
in
the
Central
Business
District
may
face
demolition.
City
regulations
require
that
any
change
in
business
use
comply
with
Section
26
of
the
Regional,
Town,
and
Country
Planning
Act
(Chapter
29:12
of
1996),
which
mandates
prior
approval
from
the
relevant
authorities.
An
urban
planning
expert,
who
declined
to
be
named,
told
Business
Times,
that
the
current
increase
in
mall
construction
has
largely
been
unregulated,
with
some
developments
not
meeting
the
minimum
operational
standards
required
by
law.
Said
the
expert:
There
is
an
uncontrolled
influx
of
retail
spaces,
and
some
of
these
structures
obstruct
pedestrian
movement.
The
city
was
not
designed
to
accommodate
this
level
of
commercial
activity
in
such
a
disorganized
manner.