The construction of the Glaudina-Kuwadzana Extension Road junction hangs in the balance after the High Court granted an interim order blocking construction pending a final hearing of a dispute between the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and some beneficiaries of Glaudina housing stands.
The land on which the construction is supposed to be done had been allocated to Gillingham Pay Scheme.
The stand owners fear that if the construction continues, the road will encroach into the stands close to the site and destroy pegs and water pipes.
The problem appears to revolve around Harare City Council laying out and approving the Gillingham Pay Scheme stands and then approving NSSA’s conflicting plan.
Harare City Council had given NSSA the green light to proceed with construction, but this riled the owners of the stands that will be affected.
Despite a lawsuit pending in the High Court, NSSA moved its equipment to the site amid reports that it wanted to start construction.
Two of the stand owners, Mr Biggie Mwoyoweshumba and Mr Phillip Gardner, approached the High Court seeking an urgent injunction to restrain NSSA from proceeding with the proposed construction until the dispute is resolved.
Justice Neville Wamambo granted the order.
The Judge said the construction of the junction could affect built structures, roads and water reticulation to the prejudice of stand owners.
“In an about turn, the second respondent (the city council) approved the construction of a junction that will encroach onto Gillingham Pay Scheme infrastructure,” he said.
“Their infrastructure will be decimated if the interim order is not granted. The city council faces less prejudice in the circumstances. They are the creators of the predicament.”
