The Highlands community has launched a strong petition opposing the proposed sale and closure of a public road allegedly linked to Collins Mnangagwa, son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The dispute centres on Otto Road, which connects Willowmead Lane to Collins Avenue in the Highlands suburb. According to a notice published in The Herald on September 2, 2025, an application has been made for the permanent closure of the section, sparking backlash from local residents.
The Highlands Residents’ Association has already gathered more than 1,000 signatures, arguing that Otto Road is a vital community asset. Petitioners say its closure would set a dangerous precedent by allowing private interests to take over public infrastructure.
They further stressed that the road provides a safe route for schoolchildren, domestic workers, joggers, and cyclists, and warned that forcing them onto busier roads would endanger lives.
“The proposed closure serves private interest at the expense of the broader community. Council has a duty to uphold transparency and protect public assets for collective benefit,” the petition stated.
Prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono amplified the concerns, warning that the move reflects a broader pattern of public land and assets being privatised by political elites. He criticised the City of Harare for failing to disclose details such as the identity of the applicant, the purpose of the closure, and financial terms of the deal.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, responding to the outcry, said the council was bound by procedure and could not comment on the merits of the application until the process was complete. He insisted that the notice complied with the law but acknowledged that objections could be raised formally.
The petition has been formally submitted to the Town Clerk’s office, where residents are urging the city to block the application.
