UNLAWFUL CLOSURE, OBSTRUCTION, ENCROACHMENT, PLANTING, OR DOING ANY UNAUTHORISED WORK WITHIN THE ROAD RESERVE.

Bulawayo City Council wishes to raise public awareness that under Part VIII of the Roads Act [Chapter 13:18], section 46 and 47, without the consent of the Local Authority, it is an offence to:

• 1. Erect, construct or plant any building, structures, fence, ditch, tree or other obstacle, which encroaches upon any road or detrimentally affects any road;
• 2. Divert or close any road except in accordance with the procedure provided under this Act for such diversion or closure shall be guilty of an offence.
• 3. Leave or place on or over any road or within fifty metres from the boundary of any road any timber, stones, rubbish or other material;
• 4. Leave or deposit any disused vehicle or machine or over any road or within fifty metres from the boundary of any road;
• 5. Encroach on any road by making or erecting any building, fence, ditch or other obstacle or planting trees or by placing, leaving or keeping on it any structure resting on wheels or in any other manner whatsoever;
• 6. Make any structural alteration on, over or below the surface of a road or land in any area within which building is restricted; or
• 7. Without reasonable cause, use any vehicle or move any vehicle which in such condition that it causes or is likely to cause damage to a road; shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level six or to imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

Particular attention should be taken to ensure compliance with these obligations. The road reserve (i.e. area between property boundaries) is NOT to be blocked or restricted in any way that may cause a hazard or potential hazard to road users, or to obstruct or interfere with the safe use of the road. (e.g. placing of stones, rubble, building material, parking of disused vehicles and construction of any structure).

Bulawayo City Council may serve a Notice under the Roads Act [Chapter 13:18] and/or the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] on the owners, occupiers or users of any land who do not comply with these requirements.

It is an offence not to comply with such a Notice, or with any Planning Enforcement Notice, which if pursued through the courts may result in prosecutions and fines.

Residents are also advised that these obligations are for public safety reasons and should be adhered to at all times

ADVERT NO: 8983
23rd, 25th and 27th August

C. DUBE TOWN CLERK