Investigative journalist and filmmaker Hopewell Chin’ono has castigated the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) for what he describes as negligence in allowing a wall to be constructed across a railway line in Harare’s Willowvale industrial area without proper authorisation.
The controversy centres on a permanent brick wall reportedly built across a disused railway siding at 44 Tilbury Road by a Chinese national, identified as Ms Li.
NRZ claimed that the wall was built on top of a disused, privately-owned siding leading to a now defunct factory which is currently being demolished after the property was bought by a Chinese-owned company last year “to prevent thieves from accessing their newly acquired property.”
The NRZ also claimed that it holds no mandate over the disused railway line in question, claiming that responsibility for such infrastructure now falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Harare.
However, in a public statement, Chin’ono accused the NRZ of failing in its regulatory duties and called its response to the issue “pitiful.” He said:
Constructing any permanent brick and mortar structure over a former railway line requires a change of land use approval, building permits from the City of Harare, and environmental clearance.
Chin’ono argued that unless formally deregistered or repurposed under Zimbabwean law, the line remains part of a regulated transport corridor.
The NRZ had earlier issued a statement suggesting that the railway siding in question was no longer active, implying that the wall’s construction did not violate any regulations.
However, Chin’ono disputed this, pointing out that any permanent construction, regardless of the line’s operational status, requires a change of land use approval, building permits from the City of Harare, and environmental clearance.
He challenged both the NRZ and the Harare City Council to produce documentation proving that the wall was approved through the correct legal channels. He wrote:
Unless there is documented evidence of official decommissioning of the railway siding, change of land use, and municipal approval, the wall is very illegal!
Chin’ono further argued that the NRZ’s own policies on privately operated sidings explicitly state that any modifications require approval from the railway authority.
He quoted the NRZ’s website where the company states that “Privately Operated Sidings provide a full range of general handling, warehousing, break-bulk, delivery and distribution activities complementary to the rail service provided by us” and that “Private Sidings are for the exclusive use of the customer or third party appointed by the customer and approved by us”.
Under the Railways Act [Chapter 13:09] of Zimbabwe, the NRZ retains authority over all railway infrastructure, including private sidings.
Chin’ono argues that by failing to prevent or question the wall’s construction, the NRZ has effectively abdicated its legal responsibility as the national rail regulator.
He also questioned the NRZ’s competence and called for documented evidence of the siding’s decommissioning and relevant municipal approvals.
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