In a distressing turn of events reminiscent of the infamous Murambatsvina campaign of 2005, hundreds of houses in Harare’s Mabelreign suburb are facing imminent demolition due to illegal construction on State land.
The news of the impending demolitions emerged during a tense meeting between Minister Winston Chitando and Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume.
The revelation has sparked fear and anxiety among residents, bringing back traumatic memories of the devastating Murambatsvina operation nearly two decades ago.
Also read: Parirenyatwa Hospital Expands Services With New High Dependency Unit For Respiratory Care
Murambatsvina, which translates to “getting rid of the filth,” was a government-led clean-up campaign launched on May 25, 2005, under the guise of “Operation Restore Order.” The initiative aimed to enforce municipal bylaws by removing illegal structures, informal vending stalls, and unauthorized settlements across Zimbabwe.
However, the operation quickly escalated into a humanitarian crisis as authorities resorted to burning, bulldozing, and demolishing tens of thousands of properties, including homes and businesses in densely populated shantytowns. The indiscriminate destruction left countless families homeless and deprived many of their livelihoods overnight.
The consequences of Murambatsvina were far-reaching, exacerbating the plight of Zimbabwe’s urban poor and exacerbating the already dire economic conditions in the country.