BULAWAYO City Council recently approved building plans worth over US$5 million according to the latest council minutes.
According to the report on the building section monthly statistics, 1 154 plans were handled by the department for approval in June.
Out of these, 280 completed the process while the rest are still in circulation.
“Of the 280 plans that completed the process, 188 with a value of US$5 869 318 were approved, while 93 were referred back for corrections. There was an increase of 31,69% in approved plans compared to the total approved in May 2025,” the minutes read.
“A total of 346 building plans with a value of US$6 341 116 were submitted in June 2025, an increase of 63,21% compared to last month’s figure. A possible total of US$63 411,16 was, therefore, raised as plan submission fees.”
Council said filing of approved building plans continued as one of the priority areas in the section.
“A total of 1 543 inspections were carried out in June 2025, constituting a 3,14% increase from the previous month. From these inspections, 56 buildings were issued with occupation certificates, 20 dilapidated buildings were revisited and 4 public buildings were assessed,” the report read.
“A possible total of US$12 934 was raised from building inspections and other building control activities captured in this report. Vehicle challenges got worse as some vehicles were still to be fully repaired.”
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On the dilapidated buildings visited, council warned that buildings without approved plans face demolition.
Council noted that 20 buildings were revisited in June, adding that work towards compliance with council instructions had begun on only one of them.
“Engagements are in process to push all property owners to comply,” the report read.
