The Harare City Council has suspended its contentious house demolition plans following significant pressure from the government and public outcry. Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe intervened, labeling the council’s actions as “inhumane.”
The council had intended to demolish over 5,000 homes in illegal settlements throughout the city as part of enforcing approximately 37 High Court orders. Many of the targeted houses are situated in densely populated suburbs like Kuwadzana, Budiriro, Glen View, and Mabvuku, built on land designated for essential public services.
In a recent interview with NewsDay, Minister Garwe condemned the council’s practice of issuing just seven-day eviction notices to residents. “What the City Council is doing is unacceptable. Building a house is a significant investment, and giving just seven days to vacate is unreasonable. Residents need more time to find alternative housing,” he stated.
Garwe emphasized that the government would put a stop to all demolitions, stressing the need for compassion and adequate notice. “From now on, no houses will be demolished. This is the government’s position.”
Mayor Jacob Mafume confirmed the suspension of the demolition operations, stating, “We are complying with the Local Government ministry’s order to halt these actions for the time being.”
The mayor acknowledged that some residents had been misled into purchasing land in unauthorized areas, often falling victim to schemes run by land barons, who are frequently linked to political figures. These barons acquire disputed or unregulated land, subdividing it illegally and selling it to hopeful homebuyers who are unaware of the risks involved.
Families invest their savings, believing they are securing a stable future, only to discover they are on precarious legal ground when authorities intervene. Courts have issued multiple rulings against these home seekers, declaring their land occupation illegal.
Information from NewsDay indicates that many land barons have political connections, which allows them to evade accountability. Recently, police announced the arrest of at least 184 land barons for misleading individuals, resulting in unauthorized constructions on state-owned wetlands and grazing lands.
Last week, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi also declared the council’s demolition efforts illegal, reinforcing the need for a more humane approach to housing issues in the city.
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