Bulawayo Warns Residents Over Fake ‘Smart City’ Stand Sales

By Staff Reporter
BULAWAYO — Bulawayo City Council has warned residents against buying residential stands being advertised on social media under a purported “Smart City” development in Cowdray Park and parts of Norwood, Richmond and Helenvale.

The council said it had not authorised the development or issued permits for the subdivision and sale of residential stands linked to the project.

Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said the council had noted a number of social media posts promoting the alleged development and urged residents to exercise caution.

“The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public that it has noted, with concern, a number of ill-informed social media posts and communication circulating about an alleged ‘Smart City’ development,” Dube said.

He said the affected areas remained under the jurisdiction and administration of the city council, which was responsible for planning, development and municipal services.

“Council has not issued any subdivision or development permit for the purported ‘Smart City’ development,” Dube said.

The warning comes as Bulawayo continues to grapple with a severe shortage of residential land, creating opportunities for illegal land dealers to target desperate home seekers.

Council has previously warned residents against buying unserviced stands from developers before roads, sewerage, water and other infrastructure have been completed and commissioned.

The city has a housing waiting list of more than 160,000 applicants, while the shortage of serviced land has contributed to the growth of unauthorised developments.

Council urged prospective home buyers to verify the authenticity of any land sale and development approvals with the local authority before making payments.