The government has intervened and ordered the Harare City Council to immediately halt its controversial house demolition program, which had sparked widespread public outrage.
This decision follows the recent demolition of homes in Belvedere, an area where the City of Harare claimed the structures were built on land illegally acquired from land barons.
Initially, the council planned to demolish over 5,000 homes in unauthorized settlements throughout the city, citing enforcement of 37 High Court orders.
The targeted properties, located mainly in densely populated neighborhoods like Kuwadzana, Budiriro, Glen View, and Mabvuku, were allegedly built on land earmarked for public use.
In a statement to NewsDay, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe criticized the council’s actions, calling them “inhumane.” He emphasized that residents, who invest months of hard work into building their homes, should not face such sudden demolitions with little warning.
“What the City Council is doing is unacceptable,” Garwe stated. “A person spends six months building a house, and then you give them just seven days to relocate? Where are they supposed to go in such a short time? At least four or five months should be allowed for people to find alternative solutions.”
While acknowledging that Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has a court order, Garwe argued that this did not justify causing such distress to citizens. “No more demolitions will take place,” he confirmed. “This is the government’s position moving forward.”
Mafume has since confirmed that the council will comply with the government’s directive and temporarily suspend the demolitions.
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