A number of Bulawayo residents stand a risk of losing their residential stands following a council move to repossess undeveloped properties.

The affected are applicants who were allocated residential stands in the middle and low density suburbs of Mahatshula and Selborne Park.

According to the latest council report, there are more than 150 applicants who were allocated residential stands during the period 1992 to 2008 who have failed to develop them.

The local authority had given the residents 24 months to develop the properties.

The director of Housing and Community Services, Isaiah Magagula, said council resolved to repossess stands that had been vacant for more than 20 years and were also in breach of lease condition of completion of building in 24 months.

Council gave residents who have not developed their residential stands and have not been paying service fees to the local authority an additional 12 months subject to payment of an extension fee of $800 and clearing of rates arrears.

Council said the situation would be reviewed in 12 months.

Source: chronicle