HARARE City Council has urged residents to desist from erecting structures without house extension plans approved from their local district office. The city fathers have been on an aggressive campaign to restore the city's sunshine status through ensuring compliance with building regulations for business and residential properties with many unsanctioned structures either being shut down or demolished.

Council spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi said council was working with local district officers who were carrying out door-to-door inspections that would see illegal structures facing action by the authority.

Residents in high-density suburbs across Harare have resorted to constructing verandah extensions in a bid to accommodate large families.