Highlands residents protest destruction of historic trees in road upgrades

Moses Ziyambi April 17, 2025 in Politics, Top Story - 2 Minutes

A section of ED Mnangagwa Rd in Harare

Rutendo Chirume

Residents of Highlands suburb in Harare have expressed outrage over the planned destruction of historic Musasa trees as part of plans to expand ED Mnangagwa Road.

The Highlands Residents Association has launched a petition urging authorities to save the trees and promote non-motorized transportation infrastructure.

The road, formerly called Enterprise, is set for refurbishments after it was declared a highway by Ministry of Transport, Roads and Infrastructure Development.

In the petition, the association argues that Musasa tree holds cultural and environmental significance in their area and the nation.

“Our demand is grounded in concern where road expansion and public and private commercial developments threaten to remove Brachystegia spiciformis (Musasa) along ED Mnangwagwa Road. These majestic trees, some over two centuries old, stand as living witnesses to Zimbabwe’s environmental and cultural history. Their destruction would constitute a grave violation of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, environmental laws, and international climate commitments.

“But more than this: they are symbolic of a broader environmental and civic crisis of unbalanced, car-centric urban development that is erasing indigenous biodiversity, endangering pedestrians and cyclists, and ignoring legal obligations for community consultation and ecological stewardship within the City of Harare in its public spaces,” reads part of the petition.

Jenna Hutchings, a concerned resident, said the development would not only threaten the environment but would affect the aesthetic appeal of Highlands too.

“We really appreciate efforts being made towards infrastructure development but the responsible authorities did not make any public consultations or try to engage with us as residents. The area is part of our identity and watching it vanish is heart-breaking. This place is a haven of nature to our community, will its identity be erased in the name of progress,” said Hutchings.

Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) Director Rueben Akili called upon the government to seek residents’ opinion when formulating development projects.

“Currently, there is a growing recognition of the importance of protecting Musasa and other indigenous tree species. The removal of these two Musasa trees and other mature trees in that area would therefore be a setback against that growing awareness. We want an inclusive and people-centred design in all public and private developments located along ED Mnangwagwa Road,” Akali said.