By Patience Gondo
The Beitbridge Rural District Council (RDC) has announced that, effective November 1, 2025 only registered professional architects will be permitted to draft and submit building plans for approval.
The decision follows their implementation of Statutory Instrument 56 of 2025, which aims to ensure compliance with professional standards in architectural practices.
Statutory Instrument 56 of 2025 pertains to the registration categories for professionals within the Architectural Field and outlines relative specific scope of works including plan drafting and submissions to Council.
In a public notice dated October 20, Chief Executive Officer Kilibone Mbedzi said this directive is part of the council’s commitment to uphold the regulations outlined in the Architects Act Chapter 27:01.
The new regulation mandates that all building plans must be submitted by registered professionals, including interior architects, technologists, and technicians, within their respective categories.
“Every technologist, technician, and draftsperson who wishes to design building plans for stands with the Beitbridge RDC must be registered with the Architects Council of Zimbabwe (ACZ).” Mbedzi said.
“ACZ will conduct random checks on the local authority’s registers to ensure compliance, reinforcing the need for accountability in the industry.”
Mbedzi also said the public should verify whether their building designer is a registered professional architect in accordance with SI 56/2025 before outsourcing building plan design services.
“The list of registered professionals can be accessed from all Beitbridge RDC offices, ACZ offices, and the ACZ website,” she said.
Mbedzi further said registration with the Architects Council of Zimbabwe does not exempt individuals from paying the prescribed fees set by the Beitbridge Rural District Council.
For more information, residents should contact the Planning and Land Management Department at the Beitbridge RDC.